Overall crop condition was average in Brazil during the reporting period. The harvest of soybean,rice, and first season maize are almost completed and the second maize is reaching maturity stage. Rainfall was 803 mm from January to April, 6% below average, but still sufficient for crops. Air temperature was 1.2°C above average and radiation 5% higher. The NDVI development graph shows average condition at the national level. Spatial patterns and NDVI departure profiles compared to the five-year average clearly indicate above average conditions in Southern Brazil, including Mato Grosso Du Sol, Rio Grande Du Sol, Santa Catarina, and Parana, where crops benefited from above average rainfall. Below average crop condition is distributed in Goias, Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo dueto a water deficit. Significantly below average NDVI is scattered in northern Brazil as a result of drought. Regions with maximum VCI values below 0.5confirm the below average condition. CropWatch puts maize, rice, and soybean production for Brazil at the same level as during 2014 (see also table B.2 inAnnex B).

Figure3.8. Brazil crop condition, January-April 2015

a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI      (b) Maximum VCI

(c)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                         (d) NDVI profile