In southern China, the period from January to April mainly covers the planting of early rice and the growing season of winter wheat. The crop condition was generally average during the entire period. In February and the beginning of March, crop condition was below average in Southwest Guangxi and part of Southeast Yunnan, accounting for about11.1% of the monitored region in Southern China. The result is confirmed by the NDVI profiles and results from drought in Guangxi starting in March (as reported by the National Climate Center of China). Condition returned to average between mid-March and April, to the extent that, compared to the recent five-year average, 88.9% of the monitored regions in Southern China, including south Yunnan, south Guangxi and Guangdong, and south Fujian display average levels at the end of the reporting period. The agroclimatic indicators (RAIN, +9%, TEMP,+1°C, and RADPAR, +3%) also show average to better than average conditions and result in a BIOMSS increase of 22% over the average of the last five years. The maximum VCI is 0.85 with almost stable CALF (-1%). Compared to the recent average, a 47% decrease of rainfall occurred in Fujian, and a 43% drop in Guangdong, which should thus be watched closely in the coming months.

Figure4.12. Crop condition Southern China region, January-April 2015

(b)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                         (c)NDVI profiles

(d)Maximum VCI                                                                                      (e)Biomass