Crop Monitor for AMIS

Report Information

No. 126: Published April 3rd, 2025

Conditions as of March 28th

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Overview

At the end of March, conditions are mixed for wheat, while favourable for maize, rice, and soybeans. For wheat, winter wheat is breaking dormancy in the northern hemisphere under mixed conditions in the Canadian Prairies, Europe, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the US. For maize, conditions are generally favourable in the southern hemisphere, except in parts of Argentina, northeast Brazil, and South Africa. In the northern hemisphere, sowing is beginning. Rice conditions are favourable across most of Asia and the Americas. For soybeans, conditions are generally favourable in the southern hemisphere, albeit with areas with reduced yields in Argentina, southern Brazil, and northeastern South Africa.

Global crop condition map synthesizing information for all four AMIS crops. Crop conditions over the main growing areas for wheat, maize, rice, and soybean are based on a combination of national and regional crop analyst inputs along with earth observation data from all Crop Monitors. Crops that are in other than favourable conditions are displayed on the map with their crop symbol.

Crop Conditions at a Glance

Wheat – In the northern hemisphere, winter wheat is emerging from dormancy under mixed conditions in parts of Europe, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the US.

Maize – Conditions in Argentina and Brazil remain mixed in the southern hemisphere, while sowing is beginning in the northern hemisphere.

Rice – Conditions are favourable across Asia and the Americas. Harvesting is underway in Southeast Asia for dry-season rice in the northern countries and wet-season rice in Indonesia.

Soybeans – In the southern hemisphere, harvesting is progressing in Brazil under mostly favourable to exceptional conditions. Recent rainfall has improved crop conditions in Argentina.

Forecasts at a Glance

Climate Influences – La Niña conditions were present during late March, and a transition to ENSO-neutral is underway. Neutral ENSO conditions are most likely through October 2025 (81 to 49 percent chances).

Brazil – The April 2025 outlook indicates a leaning toward below-average precipitation over parts of the Central-West, Northwest, and South regions, while a leaning to above-average precipitation over parts of the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions.

India – During April, precipitation is likely to be near-average with areas of above and below-average rainfall. However, both maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be above-average

United States – During April, precipitation is expected to be below-average over the Southwest and central and southern Florida. Conversely, above-average precipitation is likely over parts of the eastern and southern Corn Belt

Wheat Conditions

Wheat crop conditions over main growing areas are based upon a combination of national and regional crop analyst inputs along with earth observation data. Where crops are in other than favourable conditions the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed. 

Wheat: In the EU, conditions are generally favourable for winter wheat, however, prolonged dry weather has had irreversible negative impacts on yields in parts of Bulgaria and Romania. In Türkiye, conditions remain generally favourable despite recent cool and dry weather that has delayed crop growth. In the Russian Federation, winter wheat has broken dormancy several weeks early due to warm and dry weather, which has also contributed to drier than average conditions for the crops. In Ukraine, winter wheat has resumed vegetation earlier than normal due to a warm winter, however, varied soil moisture conditions risk yields. In Kazakhstan, winter wheat is breaking dormancy. In China, winter wheat is developing under favourable conditions with an increase in total sown area compared to the average. Spring wheat sowing is ongoing. In India, harvesting is progressing in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat under favourable conditions. In the US, winter wheat is emerging as above-average temperatures and dry weather have increased drought conditions in parts of the southern plains. In Canada, winter wheat conditions remain dormant and under watch conditions in the Prairies.

For detailed description of the pie chart please see box at the bottom of the page. 

Maize Conditions

Maize crop conditions over main growing areas are based upon a combination of national and regional crop analyst inputs along with earth observation data. Where crops are in other than favourable conditions the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed.

Maize: In Brazil, harvest for the spring-planted crop (smaller season) progresses under generally favourable conditions. The South region's conditions are exceptional despite the lack of rain and high temperatures. Sowing of the summer-planted crop (larger season) is wrapping up. In Argentina, harvesting of the early-planted crop (usually larger season) is gaining momentum with a significant drop in expected yields in the northern areas due to a lack of rainfall during much of the growing season. The late-planted crop (usually smaller season) experienced periods of water deficit in parts of the northern and the southern agricultural areas; however, rains in February helped to stem yield losses. In South Africa, widespread above-normal rainfall since early February has improved crop conditions. In China, sowing is beginning for the spring-planted crop. In India, conditions are favourable for the Rabi crop (smaller season). In Mexico, dry conditions in the north and northwest have reduced available irrigation water for the Autumn-winter crop (smaller season). In the US, sowing is beginning in the southeast with an expected increase in total sown area compared to last year.

For detailed description of the pie chart please see box at the bottom of the page. 

Rice Conditions

Rice crop conditions over main growing areas are based upon a combination of national and regional crop analyst inputs along with earth observation data. Where crops are in other than favourable conditions the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed.

Rice: In China, sowing is progressing for early double-crop rice (smallest season) and beginning for single-season rice (largest season). In India, transplanting of the Rabi and summer crops wraps up under favourable conditions. In Bangladesh, conditions are favourable for the development of the Boro crop (largest season) and the start of sowing for the Aus crop (smallest season). In Indonesia, as the sowing of wet-season rice wraps up, the harvesting of earlier sown crops is progressing faster than last year, with good yields. In Viet Nam, sowing of dry-season rice (winter-spring season) is progressing in the north as harvesting continues in the south. In Thailand, dry-season rice is in the grain-filling stage as harvesting begins in some areas. In the Philippines, conditions are generally favourable as the harvesting of dry-season rice begins. In Brazil, harvesting is progressing under favourable conditions.

For detailed description of the pie chart please see box at the bottom of the page. 

Soybean Conditions

Soybean crop conditions over main growing areas are based upon a combination of national and regional crop analyst inputs along with earth observation data. Where crops are in other than favourable conditions the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed.

Soybeans: In Brazil, harvest is progressing under exceptional conditions in the North and Central-West regions due to good weather conditions, especially in Mato Grosso and Goiás. However, in the south, conditions are mixed due to a lack of rainfall and high temperatures during the vegetative and reproductive stages, reducing crop yields, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul. An increase in total sown area is estimated compared to last year. In Argentina, high temperatures and prolonged dryness have negatively affected the early-planting (typically larger season) and late-planted (typically smaller season) crops in the Northern and Northwest regions. However, rains in late February and early March in the central agricultural region have positively affected both crops, improving grain filling in the early-planted crop and pod formation in the late-planted crop. In South Africa, conditions have improved over most areas due to widespread rainfall that has supported crop development.

For detailed description of the pie chart please see box at the bottom of the page. 

Pie chart description: Each slice represents a country's share of total AMIS production (5-year average). Main producing countries (representing 95 percent of production) are shown individually, with the remaining 5 percent grouped into the “Other AMIS Countries” category. The proportion within each national slice is coloured according to the crop conditions within a specific growing area; grey indicates that the respective area is out of season. Sections within each slice are weighted by the sub-national production statistics (5-year average) of the respective country. The section within each national slice also accounts for multiple cropping seasons (i.e., spring and winter wheat). When conditions are other than’ favourable’, icons are added that provide information on the key climatic drivers affecting conditions.

Information on crop conditions in non-AMIS countries can be found in the GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for Early Warning.

Climate Influences: La Niña Advisory

La Niña conditions were present during late March, and a transition to ENSO-neutral is underway, based on near-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Weak La Niña-like tropical atmospheric anomalies were observed during late March and may continue during April. Neutral ENSO conditions are most likely through October 2025 (81 to 49 percent chances). At the end of 2025, there are similar chances of neutral or La Niña conditions, according to the CPC/IRI.  


Global temperatures for February 2025 were the third warmest on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service Climate Bulletin. Forecast above-average temperatures during late March to late April raise the risk of heat stress during maize reproductive development in central Brazil, and may exacerbate impacts of forecast below-average rainfall during that time.

Source: UCSB Climate Hazards Center

Location and timing of likely above- and below-average precipitation related to La Niña events. Based upon observed precipitation during 21 La Niña events since 1950, wet and dry correspond to a statistically significant increase in the frequency of precipitation in the upper and lower thirds of historical values, respectively. Statistical significance at the 95% level is based on the resampling of precipitation during neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation conditions Source: FEWS NET & NOAA & CHC

Global Two-week Precipitation Forecast

The two-week forecast (Figure 1) indicates a likelihood of above-average precipitation over central and southeast Mexico, Guatemala, eastern Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, northern Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, northwest Brazil, Ecuador, western Peru, north Algeria, Tunisia, northern Libya, central Egypt, eastern Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, western and northern Cameroon, northeastern Central African Republic, southeastern Kenya, central and southern Tanzania, northeastern Mozambique, central South Africa, eastern Kazakhstan, the eastern Russian Federation, northeast China, eastern Nepal, southwest India, southern Myanmar, Thailand, western Laos, southern Philippines, northern Australia, and northern New Zealand.

There is also a likelihood of below-average precipitation over the US southwest and southeast, northwest Mexico, western Cuba, northeast and central Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, northern Paraguay, northern Argentina, the southern UK, northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, central Germany, southern Norway, northern Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, northern Belarus, southern Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, northwest Russian Federation, southwest Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, western Liberia, Ethiopia, southern Zambia, Zimbabwe, northern Botswana, northern Namibia, northeast South Africa, southern Afghanistan, northeastern Pakistan, northwest India, Central and eastern China, eastern Malaysia, and central Indonesia.

Figure 1: IRI SubX Precipitation Biweekly Probability Forecast for 5 – 18 April 2025, issued on 28 March 2025. The forecast is based on statistically calibrated tercile category forecasts from three SubX models. Source: IRI Subseasonal Forecasts Maproom

Brazil Outlook

The April 2025 outlook indicates a leaning toward below-average precipitation over parts of the Central-West, Northwest, and South regions, while a leaning to above-average precipitation over parts of the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions. During the same time, temperatures are likely to be above-average across the Central-West, Northeast, Northwest, South, and Southeast regions. Above-average temperatures along with spot areas of below-average precipitation may cause crop stress and exacerbate drought conditions in some areas of the Central-West, South, and Southeast regions.

Upper Left: April 2025 precipitation anomaly forecast. Upper Right: April 2025 temperature anomaly forecast. Maps from the National Institute of Meteorology. Bottom Left: SPI 3-month drought severity from CHIRPS. Bottom Right: 3-month (CHIRPS) precipitation ranking since 1981. Maps from USDA Crop Explorer

India Outlook

The April 2025 outlook indicates that precipitation is likely to be near average (88-112% of the long-term average). Average to above-average rainfall is likely over many parts of the northwest, peninsular, northeast, and some parts of west-central. Below-average rainfall is likely over the remaining parts of the country. Temperature forecasts indicate likely above-average maximum temperatures over most of the country except for the southeast peninsula and the northwest. Additionally, above-average minimum temperatures are likely across most of the country except for some minor parts of the northwest.

Top: April 2025 probability forecast of tercile categories (below normal, normal, and above normal) for rainfall. Bottom Left: April 2025 probability forecast of maximum temperature. Bottom Right: April 2025 probability forecast of minimum temperature. Data and maps from the India Meteorological Department.

United States Outlook

The April outlook indicates probable below-average precipitation across the Southwest and central and southern Florida. Conversely, above-average precipitation is likely over the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, the lower Great Lakes Region, the middle and lower Mississippi Valley, and parts of the southern Great Plains. During the same time, temperatures will likely be above-average from the Southwest across the southern US and up the East Coast to Virginia, with the highest likelihood over Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, and Florida. Based upon the current drought conditions and the forecast for April, drought conditions are likely to be removed from the Great Lakes region, Ohio Valley, New England, and parts of the middle and upper Mississippi Valley. Additionally, some drought improvement is likely in southern Texas. Otherwise, most drought conditions across the US are likely to remain.

Upper Left: April 2025 precipitation outlook issued on 20 March 2025. Upper Right: April 2025 temperature outlook issued on 20 March 2025. Bottom: April drought outlook released on 31 March 2025. Maps from NOAA CPC and NOAA/National Weather Service, National Centers for Environmental Predictions, and Climate Prediction Center.