The crops in Germany showed generally average conditions during the reporting period from July to October.The country's spatial NDVI indicates a situation that on the whole is better than the five-year average, except for limited patches in the Central-East and Northern Germany (Saxony, Lower Saxony, Sachsen-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). This spatial pattern is also reflected by the maximum VCI in Lower Saxony and Sachsen-Anhalt, with a VCIx of 0.88 for Germany overall. According to the crop condition map based on NDVI, Germany enjoyed an average season compared with the five-year average throughout the reporting period, but less favorable than the five-year maximum. The CropWatch TEMP indicator exceeded average by 1.1°C and RAIN increased by 18%. Although RADPAR decreased by 2% compared with the previous thirteen-year average, BIOMSS increased by 17% (over the five-year average). Cropping intensity decreased by 8%, compared to the five-year average. Due to the suitable temperature and adequate rainfall, the agronomic indicators mentioned above all indicate an average condition for most summer crop areas of Germany.

Figure3.10. Germany crop condition,July-October 2014

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

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