In general, crop condition was above average in most partsof Western Europe during this reporting period, especially for winter cropgrowth and spring sowings. Figure 2.5 presents an overview of CropWatchagroclimatic and agronomic indicators.

Total precipitation was 27% below the recent fourteen-yearaverage, with exceptional positive departures over northern Italy from earlyJanuary to early February and most parts of Germany in early January and March.Temperature showed an increase of 1.0°C and radiation was about average. Due tothe rainfall deficit, the biomass accumulation potential, BIOMSS, was below (-13%)the recent five-year average. The spatial distribution of BIOMSS shows that thelowest values (-20% and below) occur over most of France, Spain, Italy, Hungary,and the eastern United Kingdom. In contrast, BIOMSS in most other regions was10% above average.

The average maximum VCI values reach a high value of 0.86,indicating favorable crop condition. More than 92% of the arable lands werecropped, which is 1 percentage point above the recent five-year average. Mostuncropped arable land is concentrated in Spain and southeast France.Accordingly, maximum VCI was lower as well, compared with other regions in theMPZ. Areas with low minimum VHI were partially scattered in Spain and northernItaly.

Generally, crop condition in Western Europe was favorable,but—depending on spring and  early summerrain—limited soil water storage may make itself felt later in the season.

Figure 2.5. Western Europe MPZ: Agroclimaticand agronomic indicators, January-April 2015