Romania presented average crop conditions during July to October (VCIx=0.78). The winter wheat harvest was completed before July and planting took place in September and October. As to maize, the bulk of the harvest occurred from August to October.Cropped arable land was close to the last five years’ average. Overall, weather was warm and dry in this period, with rainfall down 9% and temperature up 0.4oCcompared with the average, conditions mostly favorable for the harvesting period. Crop development was normal, with biomass accumulation values 13% above the average of the recent five years. As illustrated, NDVI exceeded average values over most of Romania’s cropland during spring, which led to an increase in winter wheat yields. During the reporting period, the whole country (except the southeast) enjoyed above average NDVI. In the west of Romania, near Hungary, the NDVI was significantly lower than usual due to insufficient rainfall in July. However, some parts of southern Romania (including Bucharest and Slobozia), recorded excess of rainfall in June and July, resulting in lower than usual NDVI and VCIx (<0.8). This is expected to negatively affect the yield of maize in Romania.

Figure3.26. Romania crop condition, July-October2014

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

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