Economic accounts for agriculture (EAA): documentation of statistics

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA) statistics cover the agricultural industry as defined by the Economic Accounts for Agriculture.

The industry delineation is based on NACE Rev. 2 Division 01: Crop and animal production, hunting, and related service activities, as delimited in the EAA.

The key activities in the compilation of Finland’s Economic Accounts for Agriculture are 011 Growing of non-perennial crops, 012 Growing of perennial crops, 013 Plant propagation, 014 Animal production, 015 Mixed farming and 016 Support activities to agriculture and post-harvest crop activities.

Economic agricultural accounts cover units engaged in agricultural production, even if the unit’s primary economic activity is not agriculture. Home gardening for personal consumption is not included in the statistics.

The EAA industry delineation differs in some respects from that of NACE Rev. 2 Division 01. Not all activities classified as agricultural services in NACE Rev. 2 are included in the EAA; only those services and contract work related to agricultural production that fall within the scope of the EAA are included. Similarly, agricultural activities carried out by units whose main activity is not agriculture may be included in the EAA.

Agricultural product processing on farms can be included in the EAA accounts when the processing is closely related to the farm’s own agricultural production, the products to be processed are grown or produced on the farm, and the activity constitutes a secondary activity that is inseparable from the main agricultural activity.

If processing activities can be distinguished from actual agricultural activities for statistical or accounting purposes, they are not generally included in the output of the agricultural industry for the full value of the processed product.

The statistical unit used in these statistics is the local agricultural kind-of-activity unit (KAU). In practical agricultural statistics, the unit of observation is usually a farm, which is well suited for describing the agricultural activity as a local KAU. If several separate activities are carried out on the same farm, they may be treated as separate KAUs.

Using the KAU as the basic unit of agriculture means that the agricultural accounts may also include non-agricultural secondary activities which cannot be distinguished, either statistically or for accounting purposes, from the main agricultural activity.

If a secondary activity can be distinguished from agricultural operations, it is generally treated as a separate KAU within another industry.

The statistical population consists of all local KAUs engaged in agricultural activity as defined by the EAA, either as their principal or secondary activity.

The statistical population thus includes agricultural enterprises and other KAUs insofar as they engage in agricultural activities included in the agricultural accounts. Home gardening for personal consumption is not included in the statistical population.

The reference area for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture is the whole of Finland.

In Finland, the national publication of Economic Accounts for Agriculture began in 2019.

The time series published in Finland begins in 2010.

Finland has submitted data for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture to Eurostat since its accession to the EU. In Eurostat’s database, Finland’s uniform time series begins from 1976.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture do not use a single fixed base year for calculating the entire time series. Fixed-price data are compiled at the previous year’s prices and as chain-linked volumes. Chain-linked volume series are expressed at the price level of the selected reference year.

The monetary data in the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are expressed in millions of euros.

Labour-related variables are expressed in persons and hours worked.

In addition to the current-price data, some variables are also presented at the previous year’s prices and as chain-linked volume data.

The reference period for the statistics is the calendar year.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are prepared on an accrual basis. Output is recorded for the year in which it is produced, and inputs are recorded for the year in which they are used in production. This means that entries are not necessarily based on the date of sale or purchase.

The statistics use the NACE Rev. 2 industry classification. The industry described in the statistics mainly corresponds to NACE Rev. 2 Division 01: Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities. The industry delineation in the Economic Accounts for Agriculture is further specified in accordance with the EAA Regulation and the EAA Manual.

The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.

Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.

Further information: Statistical legislation

The compilation of statistics is guided by national statistical legislation and EU statistical regulations. The EU legal basis for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture is Regulation (EC) No 138/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the economic accounts for agriculture in the Community.

The Regulation defines the scope, concepts and reporting obligations of Member States for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture. The Regulation has been amended by subsequent legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2022/590 as regards regional economic accounts for agriculture.

In addition, the general principles governing the development, production and dissemination of European statistics are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics.

At the national level, the compilation of statistics is governed by the Statistics Act (280/2004), which regulates, among other things, data collection, data processing, the obligation to provide data and the provision of statistical data. Data processing is also subject to data protection legislation and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

Further information: Statistical legislation

The preparation of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture is based on internal data exchange within the national statistical system. Statistics Finland uses data on agricultural production, prices, costs, and income from other national statistical producers and authorities. The exchange of information is based on national statistical legislation and established cooperation and information-exchange practices. Data are processed securely and in accordance with the rules on statistical confidentiality.

Statistics Finland is responsible for combining source data, processing them in accordance with EAA concepts, and providing the compiled EAA data to Eurostat in accordance with the EU legal basis.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are mainly prepared on the basis of existing statistics, administrative data and other source data. The production costs of the statistics mainly consist of Statistics Finland’s personnel costs.

The work consists primarily of processing and combining source materials, estimation, calculation, validation, analysis, documentation and publication. Other costs, such as those related to information systems, software and data transmission, are mainly included in Statistics Finland’s general statistical production systems.

There is no extensive separate and direct data collection carried out for these statistics, so the burden on respondents is minimal.

Any targeted supplementary inquiries concern a limited number of companies, industry associations or other data providers, and they focus on information that is not available from other sources. There is no separate reporting obligation for individual farms with regard to the EAA.

The key source data used to compile the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are the agricultural statistics from the Natural Resources Institute Finland and Statistics Finland’s statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises.

The assessment of crop output is based mainly on data produced by the Natural Resources Institute Finland on cultivated areas, crop volumes, yield levels, the use of the harvest and the prices of agricultural products. These data are used to produce estimates of the volume and value of key crop outputs.

Key sources for assessing animal output are the Natural Resources Institute Finland’s statistics on livestock numbers, slaughter figures and the production of animal products. Estimates of honey production, fur production and reindeer husbandry draw on data from industry and producer organisations that represent these industries.

Agricultural price statistics are a key source for valuing output and intermediate consumption. Prices and price indices are also used to compile data at previous year’s prices and as chain-linked volume data.

The main source for the estimate of intermediate consumption is Statistics Finland’s statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises. In addition, the statistics draw on other source data describing agricultural inputs, prices and costs. The main source of information on agricultural labour is the Farm Structure Survey.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are prepared annually. The source data used to compile the statistics are updated according to their own data collection and publication schedules. The frequency of updates to source data varies from monthly and quarterly to annually.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture do not involve any extensive, separate, regular collection of survey data.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are mainly prepared using existing statistics, administrative data, and other source data. The main source data are the Natural Resources Institute Finland’s agricultural statistics and Statistics Finland’s statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises.

Source data are obtained from public statistical databases, through the exchange of information between statistical authorities and other authorities, and through established information exchange procedures. The data are mainly delivered or retrieved in electronic form and verified before being used in calculations for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture.

Data can be supplemented with targeted inquiries when necessary, if the required price, production or other information is not available from other sources. Targeted inquiries are directed to a limited number of companies, industry associations, or other data providers. Such data may include, for example, producer prices for specialty crops, as well as industry-specific data on fur production, reindeer husbandry and honey production.

Administrative data are used to estimate agricultural subsidies, investment grants and other income transfers. Source data are verified, harmonised and adapted to the EAA concepts and classifications before being included in calculations.

The purpose of data validation is to ensure the internal consistency, temporal comparability, coverage and technical accuracy of the data.

The source data used to prepare the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are verified before they are included in calculations. The checks assess the coverage and logical consistency of the data, anomalous observations and the relationship of the data to that from previous years. If necessary, source data are compared with alternative sources and any ambiguities are clarified with the data producer.

After the calculation, the results of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are validated at Statistics Finland before they are published and sent to Eurostat. The validation examines, among other things, trends in time series, annual changes and the consistency between output, intermediate consumption and value added.

The results are also compared with previous preliminary data, source data, national accounts data and other agricultural statistics, such as production and price statistics from the Natural Resources Institute Finland.

Any identified inconsistencies are analysed and, where necessary, the data are verified prior to final publication. Eurostat carries out its own validation checks on the submitted data after transmission.

The data for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are compiled and combined from various source data, including volume, price and value information. Data processing draws on statistical data, administrative data, price and volume data and, where necessary, estimates when the final source data are not yet available.

Estimates are used especially in compiling the initial preliminary data, and their importance decreases in subsequent publication rounds as the source data become more complete.

The data are compiled in accordance with the EAA Regulation and the EAA methodological framework, using current prices and the previous year’s prices. Values at current prices are mainly derived for each product from quantities and prices or directly from values obtained from source data.

Data at previous year’s prices are compiled using the previous year’s prices or appropriate price indices. Data at current prices and at previous year’s prices are used to derive the required value, price and volume data and chain-linked volume series.

Source materials are reviewed, harmonised and adapted to the EAA’s concepts, classifications and valuation principles. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the coverage and definitions of the data to ensure that they correspond to the industry delineations and definitions of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture.

Key accounting items, such as value added and operating surplus/mixed income, are derived from output, intermediate consumption and other accounting items in accordance with the EAA accounting structure. Data processing ensures consistency between output, intermediate consumption, value added and other accounting items, as well as the comparability of time series.

The main users of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are national and European authorities, decision-makers, administration, researchers, interest groups and other users interested in economic trends in agriculture.

At European level, the data are used primarily for monitoring developments in the agricultural sector, policy analysis and comparisons between the Member States. At the national level, the data are used to examine agricultural production, costs, value added, income development and structural change.

For users, the key data elements include consistent and comparable information on agricultural output, intermediate consumption, value added and entrepreneurial income. The current EAA framework largely meets these information needs.

Statistics Finland monitors user satisfaction through regular customer satisfaction and user surveys across the entire organisation. The surveys collect feedback on such as the availability, clarity, relevance, and overall quality of the statistics produced by Statistics Finland. The results of the surveys are used to develop statistical production and information distribution.

A separate user satisfaction survey is not conducted for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture, but the statistics are included in Statistics Finland’s general user feedback and customer satisfaction monitoring. In addition, feedback from users is monitored as part of the normal customer feedback and stakeholder communication.

The data in the agricultural accounts are mainly based on official Finnish statistics and other established source data. The compilation of source data for Finland’s official statistics is carried out in accordance with the quality principles of the Official Statistics of Finland (OSF) and the quality assurance procedures specific to the statistics. Some of the source data are based on sample surveys, the reliability of which is based on statistical representativeness.

The reliability of the data is ensured by comparing the Economic Accounts for Agriculture data with previous-year data, source data and other materials describing the agricultural economy.

For example, comparisons can draw on Statistics Finland’s statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises and the Natural Resources Institute Finland’s agricultural profitability accounting results, while taking into account the conceptual and coverage differences between the datasets.

In addition, Eurostat carries out its own validation checks on the submitted data.

The data in the Economic Accounts for Agriculture may be revised annually due to new or updated source data and changes in methods. Revisions may also apply to previous years if required to ensure the consistency of the time series. Any detected errors are corrected in accordance with Statistics Finland’s procedures for correcting errors.

Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.

The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.

The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.

Further information:

• European Statistics Code of Practice (ec.europa.eu/eurostat)
• Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland

There has not been a separate national statistical quality assessment of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture recently. The quality of the statistics is assessed as part of the normal production process through internal checks, validation procedures, methodological assessments and comparisons with other statistical domains.

The assessment examines aspects such as the quality and coverage of source data, the suitability of the calculation methods, the consistency of the time series and the comparability of data with previous years and other data describing the agricultural economy, particularly national accounts.

The quality of the data is also monitored on the basis of Eurostat validation checks and feedback. Any identified shortcomings affecting quality will be taken into account in future rounds of compiling the statistics and in the development of methodologies.

The objective of the revision policy for the Economic Accounts for Agriculture is to ensure the quality, timeliness, transparency and consistency of the published data over time. The data for each publication is compiled using the best available source materials and methods.

Previously published information may be revised if the source data, methods, classifications or accounting adjustments so require. Users are informed about revisions and significant changes to methods as transparently as possible.

Revisions to the Economic Accounts for Agriculture follow the ESA regulatory framework, Eurostat’s ESA guidelines and Statistics Finland’s general revision practices.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are prepared in accordance with a regular publication and revision schedule. The first preliminary estimate for year n is published in December of year n, the second preliminary estimate in April of year n+1, and the final figures in October of year n+1.

Revisions are mainly due to the fact that the source data for the reference year are supplemented and specified between publication rounds.

Revisions may also be made due to changes in methodology, changes in classification, the reconciliation of time series or the correction of errors. Revisions may also apply to previous years if required to ensure the consistency of the time series.

Efforts are made to inform users of significant methodological changes and their effects at the time of publication. Detected and validated errors are corrected in the published data in accordance with Statistics Finland’s procedures.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are published nationally three times a year. The first preliminary estimate for year n is published in December of year n, the second preliminary estimate in April of year n+1, and the final figures in October of year n+1. The first preliminary estimate is prepared before the end of the reference year, so it is based on the source data available at the time of publication and estimates for the remainder of the year. The information in the April and October publications will be updated as the source data are supplemented and specified.

The production and publication schedule of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture is linked to the Eurostat delivery schedule as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 138/2004. The timeliness of the data is particularly affected by the availability of source data. Efforts to improve timeliness include improving the availability of source data and methods for estimating preliminary data.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are prepared in accordance with a predefined national publication and Eurostat delivery schedule. National publications are carried out in accordance with Statistics Finland’s release calendar, and the data are delivered to Eurostat in accordance with EU regulations and agreed deadlines.

In recent years, the publication of Finland’s Economic Accounts for Agriculture and Eurostat submissions have been carried out according to schedule.

The geographical comparability of the economic accounts for agriculture is promoted through a common EU legal framework, EAA concepts and harmonised compilation principles. For this reason, the data are, in principle, comparable between EU Member States.

However, national data sources and practical calculation methods may differ, which may affect comparability between countries.

In Finland, the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are prepared using a uniform national methodological framework, and the same concepts, definitions and accounting principles are applied throughout the country.

In addition to national data, EAA data are submitted to Eurostat at NUTS 2 level. Regional data are derived uniformly based on the national accounting framework, without applying any specific regional methodological differences. There are therefore no significant issues related to geographical comparability within Finland.

The time series of the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are generally comparable over time.

The aim is to ensure comparability by applying consistent concepts, classifications and calculation principles throughout the time series. Where necessary, changes to methodologies, classifications and source data may also be applied to previous years in order to maintain the consistency of the time series.

The methodological revisions and updates to the source data over the years have not resulted in any significant discontinuity in the time series. However, temporal comparability may be affected by factors such as changes in agricultural support schemes, as well as changes to the coverage of source data or methodologies.

No significant consistency issues have been identified between the Economic Accounts for Agriculture and other statistical areas. Consistency with national accounts is discussed separately in Section 15.3.2. The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are prepared in accordance with harmonised concepts, classifications and definitions.

The data are compared with other statistics describing agricultural production, prices and the economy, such as the Natural Resources Institute Finland’s production and price statistics and agricultural profitability accounting results, and Statistics Finland’s statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises.

Any differences are generally due to differences in the purpose, scope, concepts or statistical units of the statistics, rather than to actual inconsistencies in the compilation of the data.

Economic accounts for agriculture are a satellite account of national accounts, and their compilation is based on the concepts and principles of the European System of National and Regional Accounts (ESA 2010). Consistency with national accounts is supported by harmonised concepts, definitions and classifications.

However, the figures in the EAA are not fully consistent in all respects with those for the agricultural industry in the national accounts.

The differences are primarily due to the specific purpose of the EAA, their industry boundary and the special treatment applied to agriculture, rather than methodological inconsistencies. The consistency of the data is monitored by comparing the EAA’s key items with the data on the agricultural sector in the national accounts.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are internally consistent. The data are compiled in accordance with a uniform accounting framework, in which the links between output, intermediate consumption, value added and other key items are verified as part of the calculation. No internal inconsistencies have been identified in the data to be published.

Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.

Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland

Release calendar of Statistics Finland: Future publications

Future publications of the statistics can be found on the page of the statistics at: Future publications of the statistics

The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.

Further information: Publication principles for statistics

Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data.

Further information: The terms of use for statistical data

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are annual statistics published nationally three times a year. The first preliminary estimate for year n is published in December of year n, the second preliminary estimate in April of year n+1, and the final figures in October of year n+1.

The Economic Accounts for Agriculture are published on the Statistics Finland website. Publications are issued for the first preliminary estimate, the second preliminary estimate and the final data.

The publications are available on the separate page for these statistics.

The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.

Data on the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are submitted to Eurostat in accordance with the agreed reporting schedule and the technical requirements of the European statistical system.

Eurostat publishes data on the agricultural accounts of the Member States in its own databases and publications. In addition, the data from the EAA are used by Statistics Finland, for example, in the compilation of national accounts.

The compilation of the agricultural accounts published in Finland follows the Economic Accounts for Agriculture Manual (2024 edition) published by Eurostat. The manual describes the key concepts, definitions, and compilation principles of agricultural accounts. Finland’s gross national income (GNI) inventory is also used.

The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (eur-lex.europa.eu) and the Finnish Data Protection Act (Finlex.fi) are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (Finlex.fi).

The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

Further information: Data protection

The data published in the Economic Accounts for Agriculture are aggregated statistical data. It must not be possible to identify an individual respondent or statistical unit from the data being published.

The processing and publication of data are carried out in accordance with legislation on statistics and data protection, as well as Statistics Finland’s data protection and data security principles.

Separate data protection or masking procedures are usually unnecessary in EAA publications, as the data are mainly published as aggregates. Should there be a risk of identifying an individual respondent, the data will be protected in accordance with Statistics Finland’s general data protection procedures prior to publication.