Crop Monitor for AMIS

Report Information

No. 143: Published October 1st 2026

Conditions as of September 28th

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Overview

At the end of September, overall conditions are positive for wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans. Wheat conditions are generally favourable in the Northern Hemisphere as spring wheat harvesting progresses and winter wheat sowing begins. Winter wheat continues to develop in the Southern Hemisphere. Maize conditions are generally favourable, albeit with spots of concern across parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. Rice conditions are generally favourable; however, adverse weather is negatively impacting crops in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Soybean harvesting is ongoing in the Northern Hemisphere, with good yields expected in the US and poor yields in Europe.

Global crop condition map synthesizing information for all four AMIS crops as of September 28th. 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 and Earth observation data. Crops under non-favourable conditions are displayed on the map using their crop symbols.

Crop Conditions at a Glance

Wheat – In the Northern Hemisphere, spring wheat harvesting is wrapping up as the sowing of winter wheat begins under mixed conditions. In the Southern Hemisphere, conditions are generally favourable.

Maize – Harvesting is beginning in the Northern Hemisphere as sowing begins in Brazil for the Spring-planted crop.

Rice – Dry weather remains a concern in southern India and Thailand, while heavy rain has impacted the Philippines and northern Viet Nam.

Soybeans – In the Northern Hemisphere, harvest is beginning under mixed conditions in Europe and parts of the US. In the Southern Hemisphere, sowing is beginning in Brazil.

Forecasts at a Glance

Climate Influences – El Niño conditions are present and strengthening. The event will likely be very strong from September 2026 to January 2027 and rank as one of the strongest since 1950. Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are forecast during October to December 2026.

Argentina - During October-November-December, much of the main agricultural region will likely see above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures.

India - The 2026 Southwest Monsoon is withdrawing after delivering below-average rainfall, while the October-December forecast shows likely below-average precipitation for most of the country.

United States – The October forecast supports the likely improvement or removal of drought conditions across large portions of the central and eastern US.

Wheat Conditions

Wheat crop conditions over the main growing areas are based on national and regional crop analyst inputs and earth observation data. Crop condition information is based on information as of September 28th. Where crops are in conditions other than favourable, the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed. Crop Season Specific Maps can be found in Appendix 2.

In Ukraine, recent rainfall has improved soil moisture, supporting the sowing and emergence of the 2026/2027 winter wheat crop. The total sown area is expected to be lower than last year. In the Russian Federation, spring wheat harvesting continues under favourable conditions. Sowing of the 2026/2027 winter wheat crop is significantly behind the normal pace due to a mix of climatic and socioeconomic factors. In Kazakhstan, spring wheat harvesting is progressing under favourable conditions. In Türkiye, winter wheat sowing is beginning. In the US, spring wheat harvesting is wrapping up with above-average yields. The 2026/2027 winter wheat sowing is beginning; however, persistent heat and dryness in the Southern Plains are a concern. In Canada, winter wheat harvesting is wrapping up as the spring wheat harvest progresses, with above-average yields expected in Alberta. In Australia, conditions are exceptional in South Australia and Victoria; however, dryness has reduced prospects in Queensland and threatens yields in Western Australia. In Argentina, conditions are favourable, with the crop primarily in the vegetative stages. The total sown area has decreased compared to last year.

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

Maize Conditions

Maize crop conditions over the main growing areas are based on national and regional crop analyst inputs and earth observation data. Crop condition information is based on information as of September 28th. Where crops are in conditions other than favourable, the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed. Crop Season Specific Maps can be found in Appendix 2.

In Brazil, harvesting of the summer-planted crop (larger season) is wrapping up with above-average yields. Sowing of the spring-planted crop (smaller season) is underway. In the US, harvest is beginning under contrasting conditions, with below-average yields expected in the Plains, while good yields are expected in parts of the central Corn Belt. In Canada, conditions are favourable as harvest begins. In Mexico, conditions are favourable for the spring-summer crop (larger season). In China, the spring-maize crop (larger season) continues to be harvested, while the summer-maize crop (smaller season) ripens. In India, the Kharif crop (larger season) is under generally favourable conditions except in the western and southern states due to below-average rainfall. In Indonesia, the harvest for the dry-season crop continues with good yields. In the EU, persistent rain deficits alongside hot weather have continued to worsen crop conditions across western and parts of central Europe. In Ukraine, the harvest is beginning, with poor yields expected in the west due to drought and high temperatures. In the Russian Federation, harvesting is ongoing, with good yields expected.

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

Rice Conditions

Rice crop conditions over the main growing areas are based on national and regional crop analyst inputs and earth observation data. Crop condition information is based on information as of September 28th. Where crops are in conditions other than favourable, the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed. Crop Season Specific Maps can be found in Appendix 2.

In China, conditions are favourable as the harvest continues for single-season rice (largest season) and the late double-crop rice (medium season) develops. In India, Kharif sowing is almost complete; the total sown area is marginally lower than last year. In Bangladesh, conditions are favourable for the Aman crop (medium season). In Indonesia, harvesting of dry-season rice continues, with a reduction in total sown area compared to last year. In Viet Nam, tropical cyclone Narra and heavy rainfall in mid-September have negatively affected yields in the north for the main-season rice (seasonal). In the south, the harvest is ongoing for summer-autumn rice (wet-season rice), while autumn-winter rice and seasonal rice are at the grain-filling to harvesting stages. In Thailand, drought conditions have adversely affected wet-season rice yields. Total sown area is lower than last year. In the Philippines, harvesting is ongoing for wet-season rice under mixed conditions, reflecting earlier negative impacts from an enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones. In Japan, harvesting is beginning under favourable conditions. In Brazil, sowing is beginning.

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

Soybean Conditions

Soybean crop conditions over the main growing areas are based on national and regional crop analyst inputs and earth observation data. Crop condition information is based on information as of September 28th. Where crops are in conditions other than favourable, the climatic drivers responsible for those conditions are displayed. Crop Season Specific Maps can be found in Appendix 2.

In the US, the harvest is beginning at a faster-than-normal pace with good yields expected in most regions. In Canada, conditions are favourable as the harvest begins, with overall yields expected to be just above-average. In China, conditions are favourable, with crops in the late-stage grain filling and ripening stages. In India, conditions are generally favourable, albeit with some dryness in the western and southern states. In Ukraine, the harvest is ongoing, with below-average yields expected due to below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures during the season. In Brazil, sowing is just beginning, with an estimated slight increase in total area compared to last season.

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: El Niño Watch & Positive IOD Watch

El Niño conditions are present and strengthening. The event will likely be very strong from September 2026 to January 2027 (> 90% chance, according to the September 2026 NOAA ENSO outlook) and rank as one of the strongest since 1950. El Niño conditions are forecast through April 2027 (80% chance).

El Niño events tend to enhance rainfall in parts of Asia (in Central Asia, southwestern Asia, and eastern China), southern North America, southeastern South America, southern Europe, eastern and southern East Africa. Drier-than-average conditions tend to occur across Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, Southern Africa, the Maritime Continent, and Australia.

Location and timing of likely above- and below-average precipitation related to El Niño events. Based upon observed precipitation during 22 El Niño 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

Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are forecast during October to December 2026. Positive weekly IOD values from the Bureau of Meteorology indicate the event is developing. A positive IOD tends to enhance the drying influence of El Niño in Australia and the Maritime Continent and substantially increase the chances of a wet and intense East Africa short rains season.

The timing of wet and dry conditions based on Climate Research Unit, CHIRPS, and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre precipitation (green and brown polygons), and sea surface temperature departures from average during July September (blue and red shading), related to the IOD. The regions used to define the Dipole Mode Index are outlined in black.

August 2026 was one of the warmest months ever recorded for global temperatures, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service Climate Bulletin. The very strong El Niño will continue to increase the likelihood of extreme conditions.

During late September through early October 2026, abnormally hot temperatures are forecast in active crop development areas of the southeastern United States, eastern Mexico, Central America, Haiti, central Brazil, East Africa, southwestern Iran, southern and northern Pakistan, southern and northern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern Indonesia, and the Philippines.

CHC AgriHeat Forecast for September 24th to October 8th, 2026. Forecast 15-day average maximum temperatures are shown where they will be abnormally hot (Tmax > 80th percentile and > 30 C) and in active crop-growing areas. Areas with forecasted below-average rainfall for this period are also identified. Based on a 15-day CHIRTS-GEFS forecast from June 26, 2026. From UCSB Climate Hazards Center. Map source: UCSB Climate Hazards Center

Global Two-week Precipitation Forecast

The two-week forecast (Figure 1) shows a chance of above-average precipitation over the southwest US, northwest and central Mexico, southern Guatemala, southwest Honduras, western Ecuador, south and southeast Brazil, eastern Paraguay, central Chile, central west Argentina, Greece, eastern Türkiye, Georgia, Armenia, Syria, central and northwestern Iraq, northeastern and eastern Iran, eastern Egypt, northern Libya, southern Tunisia, central and northeastern Algeria, northern and southern Mauritania, southern and central Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, northern Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, southwestern Niger, eastern Ethiopia, Somalia, eastern Kenya, northeastern Tanzania, southern Angola, Namibia, western Botswana, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, northeastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, eastern Myanmar, northern Laos, northern and eastern Thailand, northern Viet Nam, north China, and the northern Philippines.

There is also a risk of below-average precipitation over northwestern and northern Canada, the central Mississippi Valley in the US, northern Honduras, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, central and northern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, central Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, northern Brazil, northern and southern Bolivia, northern Argentina, southern Chile, the United Kingdom, northwestern Spain, northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, northwestern Germany, Denmark, southern Norway, southern Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, the western Russian Federation, Moldova, northeastern Romania, north central Türkiye, southern Yemen, northern and western Ethiopia, southern Sudan, South Sudan, the eastern Central African Republic, western Gabon, the southern Republic of the Congo, the western and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, western Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, northern and western Tanzania, northeastern Zambia, northern Malawi, northern Madagascar, eastern South Africa, Eswatini, western Kazakhstan, central and eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, northern Sri Lanka, northeastern and southwestern China, northern Japan, northern Myanmar, southern Thailand, central Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, northern and central Australia, and northern New Zealand.

Figure 1: IRI SubX Precipitation Biweekly Probability Forecast for 3 – 16 October 2026, issued on 25 September 2026. The forecast is based on statistically calibrated tercile category forecasts from three SubX models. Source: IRI Subseasonal Forecasts Maproom

Argentina Outlook

The October-November-December outlook indicates likely above-average precipitation over western Santa Fe, Córdoba, the central-southern Cuyo region, La Pampa, western Buenos Aires, and northeastern Patagonia. Average to above-average precipitation is likely over the central-western Chaco and Formosa, eastern Santiago del Estero, central-eastern Buenos Aires, and northwestern Patagonia. Conversely, average to below-average precipitation is likely over the Northwest region. During the same period, temperatures are likely to be average to above-average over the Northwest region, west-central Chaco and Formosa, eastern Salta, Santiago del Estero, and southwestern Patagonia. Conversely, temperatures are likely to be below-average over the Cuyo region, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, southern Santa Fe, La Pampa, and Buenos Aires.

Top: September-October-November 2026 chance of exceeding the medium precipitation forecast. Bottom Left: September-October-November 2026 difference from average minimum temperature forecast. Bottom Right: September-October-November 2026 difference from average maximum temperature forecast. Maps from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology

India Southwest Monsoon Summary and Outlook

The 2026 Southwest Monsoon is now withdrawing. Overall rainfall during the 2026 Southwest Monsoon has been below-average, at 87% of the long-period average (LPA), during June-September. This is the fourth-lowest Monsoon since 2001. After a slight delay in the start and a disappointing June (65% of the LPA), rainfall increased and helped to bring up the totals. Across the country, rainfall has been uneven, with East & Northeast regions and the South Peninsula experiencing the largest deficits, with 74% and 76% of the LPA, respectively.

As of September 24th, water storage for the country in reservoirs is less than (78.82%) the same period last year in the country as a whole and is also less (88.48%) than the Normal storage during the same period. Water storage levels are also uneven across the country, with the Southern and Northern regions containing the largest deficits compared to normal, at 33.22% and 21.72%, respectively.

The October-November-December outlook indicates that most parts of the country will likely experience below-average precipitation except for the Northwest and very southern parts of the South Peninsular.

Top Left: Withdrawal of the 2026 Southwest Monsoon as of September 30th, 2026. Top Right: October-November-December 2026 probability rainfall forecast. Bottom: Water storage position of 178 important reservoirs in India as of September 24th, 2026. Maps from the India Meteorological Department of Earth Sciences

United States Outlook

The October 2026 precipitation forecast indicates likely above-average precipitation over the southern US from southern Arizona to Florida and North Carolina, while below-average precipitation is likely over the Pacific Northwest, northern California, the Great Basin, the northern and central Rocky Mountains, the northern Great Plains, the upper Mississippi Valley and the upper Great Lakes Region. At the same time, temperatures are likely to be above average across the southern Southeast, the Pacific Northwest, California, the Great Basin, the northern and central Rocky Mountains, the northern and central Great Plains, the upper Mississippi Valley and the upper Great Lakes Region.

Based upon October’s weather outlook, drought conditions are likely to improve or be removed across parts of the Southwest, southern Rocky Mountains, most of the Great Plains, the Southeast, and the Atlantic Coast. Drought conditions are likely to persist in the Pacific Northwest, the Great Basin, the northern and central Rocky Mountains, parts of the northern Great Plains, the upper Mississippi Valley, and the Upper Great Lakes Region.

Upper Left: October 2026 precipitation outlook issued on 30 September 2026. Upper Right: October 2026 temperature outlook issued on 30 September 2026. Bottom: October 2026 drought outlook released on 30 September 2026. Maps from NOAA CPC and NOAA/National Weather Service, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, and Climate Prediction Center.