Inner Mongolia

During July to October 2017, the condition of maize and soybean was generally unfavorable in Inner Mongolia. Rainfall was well above average (RAIN +70%), but its temporal and spatial distribution was not homogeneous; both the west and the northeast of the region suffered dry weather from May. Temperature was close to average (TEMP -0.1°C) and radiation was below average (RADPAR -6%). Altogether, the region experienced a large potential biomass (BIOMSS) increase of 32% compared to the recent five-year average.

The crop development graph also indicates poor crop condition from May. Coming to July, central Ningxia, north Shaanxi and Shanxi, as well as the east and northeast of Inner Mongolia suffered from drought, which affected crop growth; below average conditions can be found in July in about 60% of the region. The maximum VCI is low (in some areas less than 0.5), and the potential biomass was poor as well in the area mentioned above. Until mid-August, decreased rainfall affecting crop growth is clearly shown by below-average NDVI, which is confirmed by the spatial NDVI patterns and profiles in about 19% of the region. Hereafter, crop condition improved and reached and exceeded the average of the last five years from late August to late September. This relief, however, came late, and the drought at crucial growing periods may eventually influence the crops' outcome. From late September, below average condition had little effect as the crops had reached maturity and were ready for harvest. 

On the basis of the CropWatch monitoring results, maize production is estimated to decrease in Inner Mongolia and Shanxi compared with the last year (-6.4% and -2.8% respectively).

Figure 4.13a. China Inner Mongolia crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the current season up to October 2017 to the previous season, to the five-year average (5YA), and to the five-year maximum

Figure 4.13b. China Inner Mongolia spatial NDVI patterns for July to October 2017 (compared to the (5YA) (left) and NDVI profiles associated with these spatial patterns (right)

Figure 4.13c. China Inner Mongolia maximum VCI, July-October 2017

Figure 4.13d. China Inner Mongolia biomass, July-October 2017