Winter wheat conditions relatively good ahead of expected rains

Temperatures were near normal over the past week with most of central China seeing temperatures 1-2C degrees higher than normal while the northeast and the southeast were 1-2C below average. 

Winter wheat still has relatively good conditions and the National Meteorological Center notes that “most of the winter wheat area has sufficient heat and suitable soil moisture, which is conducive to the seedling emergence and seedling growth of winter wheat.”

The largest winter wheat province, Henan, continues to have relatively good soil moisture although it has seen a precipitation deficit over the past month. Anhui is also showing some areas of insufficient soil moisture.

Over the next week, rainfall is expected to move through major winter wheat areas which should help improve soil moisture levels in deficit areas. 

Hunan and Jiangxi are also seeing their droughts continue which has continued to affect rapeseed crops in the region. Minimal rainfall is expected for those regions over the next week.