Southern Europe has benefited from abundant rainfall, improving crop yield prospects. However, the lack of rainfall and dry soils in central and northern Europe, particularly in countries such as France, Germany, and Poland, are raising concerns about winter crop growth and the emergence and early development of spring crops.
Persistent dryness and elevated temperatures raise concerns across central and northern Europe
Dry conditions have been observed across large regions of central and northern Europe, including north-eastern France, the Benelux countries, Germany, Czechia, western and northern Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the Baltic states. All these regions are experiencing a rainfall deficit of at least 50 % compared with the average, and, for most of them, the analysis period ranks among the driest since 1991. These dry conditions are coupled with above-average temperatures boosting evapotranspiration, leading to accelerated crop development, but also to the depletion of soil moisture. Although the dry period initially allowed a recovery from the excessively wet winter conditions, further rain is now essential to avoid any reduction in yield expectations.
Cold spells and wet conditions delay sowing in parts of central and eastern Europe
In central and eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, western and eastern Romania and southern Bulgaria) a combination of two cold spells and wet weather from mid March to early April delayed the sowing of spring and summer crops. However, the sowing window is still open, and field activities are expected to continue in April.
Dry conditions raise concerns in eastern Romania, north-eastern Bulgaria and Türkiye
In eastern Romania and north-eastern Bulgaria, the lack of precipitation – only 60 % of the long-term average (LTA) since 1 March – is becoming a concern. Winter cereals are approaching the flowering stage, while rapeseed is already flowering, and rainfall is needed to sustain optimal growth.
In Türkiye, the rainfall in April was insufficient to mitigate the water deficit observed since the start of February. In several regions, particularly where irrigation is limited, winter cereals had suboptimal growth.
Excessive soil moisture may hinder winter crop development in parts of Italy
In central Italy, some regions experienced excessive precipitation in March and April, resulting in overly wet soils. The development of winter crops could be adversely affected if the wetter-than-usual conditions continue.
Winter crop season remains poor in western Maghreb and eastern Ukraine
The impacts observed in the western Maghreb region and in eastern Ukraine are the result of a dry winter period causing unfavourable growing conditions for winter crops. In both regions, winter crops are performing poorly, with below-average yield expectations.
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O artigo foi publicado originalmente em JRC.
