This monitoring period covers the harvest of maize as well as sowing and the early growth period of winter wheat. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that the temperatures were above the average over most of the monitoring period (TEMP +1.5°C), but lower than average in early December and late January. There was a cold spell in January, when the average temperature hovered around 1°C. Snow fell in many places of France. RAIN was 8% below average, while sunshine (RADPAR) was 4% above. Due to favorable temperature and sunshine conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have increased by 8% nationwide compared to the 15-year average.The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were overall below the 5 year average. Only in early November were they above average. The sharp drops in NDVI were most likely due to cloud cover, fog or snow on the ground. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) departure value was above average by 1%. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country also reached a range of 0.82-0.96. Overall, the precipitation deficit caused slightly unfavorable growth conditions for some France’s agricultural regions.

Regional analysis

Considering cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, additional sub-national details are provided for eight agro-ecological zones. They are identified on the maps by the following numbers: (78) Northern barley region, (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, (79) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern France, (75) Massif Central dry zone, (81) Southwestern maize zone, (76) Eastern Alpes region and (77) the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region, warmer weather was observed (TEMP +1.1°C) while RADPAR was above average (+10%) but RAIN was below average (-6%). The potential BIOMSS increased by 6% when compared to the 15-year average. The CALF was higher than the average (+1%), and VCIx was 0.89. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was below the 5-year average for most of the monitoring period, especially in December, but higher than average in early November and January.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, warmer (TEMP +1.3°C) and drier (RAIN -9%) conditions were observed and RADPAR was above average by 3%. Potential BIOMSS was above average by 6% while the overall NDVI profile showed the regional crop conditions were higher than average levels, being below average in mid-October and mid-December only.  The CALF was increased by 2%, and VCIx was relatively high, at 0.96.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, RADPAR and TEMP were above average by 6% and 0.8°C. RAIN was also higher than the average (+7%). Potential BIOMSS increased by 8%. CALF was average and VCIx was recorded at 0.87. The NDVI profile trended close to the average, except for mid-October and late December, when RADPAR was below average. 

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, RAIN in this monitoring period was 5% lower than the 15-year average, while TEMP increased by 1.5°C and RADPAR was increased by 5%. BIOMSS was about 12% higher than average with a high VCIx level (0.96). CALF was above average by 1%. The NDVI profile showed great fluctuation during the monitoring period. It was above average in October and then below average in November to January.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RADPAR were 1.4°C and 3% higher than the average, respectively, while RAIN decreased by 12%. The VCIx was 0.96 and potential BIOMSS increased by 10%. CALF was average. Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile indicated that growth conditions were above average before November and below average after November, especially in January when the cold spell hit France.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile presented a below average trend, but it was close to the average in mid-November and early December. The VCIx recorded moderate levels (0.90) and potential BIOMSS was 7% higher than average. RAIN in the period was 8% lower than average. TEMP was 1.2°C higher, while RADPAR increased by 1%. CALF was above average by 1%.

In the Eastern Alpes region, crop conditions presented a slightly above average trend except in January. RADPAR and TEMP in the region were 4% and 1.7°C higher than average, while RAIN was 7% below the average. Potential BIOMSS was also higher than the 15-year average (+14%). VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.94. CALF increased by 1%.

In the Mediterranean zone, NDVI recorded a below-average trend. The region recorded a relatively low VCIx level (0.82). RADPAR and TEMP were above the average (2% and +2.7°C, respectively), while RAIN was significantly lower than average by 24%. CALF also increased by 1%. Potential BIOMSS was above average by 5%.

Figure 3.5 France’s crop condition, October 2022 – January 2023

(a). Phenology of major crops

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

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

(f) Rainfall profiles                                                                       (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern barley region (left) and Mixed maize, Barley and Rapeseed zone (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Maize, barley and livestock zone (left) and Rapeseed zone (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry Massif Central zone (left) and Southwest maize zone (right))

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern Alpes region (left) and Mediterranean zone (right))

Table 3.2 France’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2022 – January 2023

Table 3.3 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2022 – January 2023