Dry winter in much of Europe and North Africa

The February issue of the JRC MARS Bulletin - Crop monitoring in Europe was published today, alongside the February edition of the JRC MARS Bulletin global outlook series on North Africa.

Drought affecting crops in western Mediterranean region

According to the crop monitoring Bulletin for Europe, winter crops and grasslands in most parts of Europe are in good condition.

No negative impacts have yet been recorded as a result of the rain deficit in large parts of western and central Europe.

However, the persistent rain deficit in southern and south-western Mediterranean regions has led to a situation of drought.

Southern Portugal, southern Spain, south-eastern France, and north-western Italy are most seriously affected.

Soil water contents in these regions are below the seasonal average, and water reservoirs used for irrigation are well below capacity.

Above-average rainfall is needed in the coming weeks and months to avoid an increased risk of negative impacts on crop growth conditions later in the season.

Frost tolerance remains weak

So far, no significant frost damage has occurred.

However, the build-up of frost tolerance remains weak in western Europe and much of central Europe, and significantly below average in Germany and parts of neighbouring Poland and Czechia.

According to the current weather forecast (until 24 February), no critically low temperatures are expected.

Cereals impacted by drought in large parts of the Maghreb

In North Africa, cereal yield potential has been negatively impacted by drought conditions, resulting in a below-average yield outlook for winter crops.

Morocco experienced rainfall deficits in autumn, which developed into drought during the current review period.

In Algeria, after a fair start to the season, weather conditions worsened and developed into drought, with similarities to last year’s poor cropping season.

In central-eastern Tunisia, barley was negatively impacted by warmer- and drier-than-usual conditions.

In north-western Libya, the dry start to the season was unfavourable for crop establishment.

Egypt presents average progress for the cereal season.

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