Index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production describes the VAT-free price development of materials, services and investments used in agriculture. Data are compiled with a data collection and by utilising Statistics Finland's other data. Data are published monthly.
Sector coverage (SIMS 3.3)
The index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production covers Finland as a whole with no regional division. Its field of observation is materials, services and investments consumed in agricultural production. The index does not cover wages, non-wage labour costs, rents, interest payments or purchases of land or livestock.
The commodities included in the index cover the total population. Prices of low-value products are not separately monitored but their costs are allocated to other products in the index weight structure. Therefore, the products in the index also represent, due to the weight structure, products not included in the index.
Statistical unit (SIMS 3.5)
The statistical unit for the index is the means of agricultural production acquired for the farm. The reporting units include enterprises, associations and central agricultural retail corporations. Transport costs to the farm should also be included in the prices. For the time being, transport costs are not however incorporated into the prices, with a few exceptions.
Statistical population (SIMS 3.6)
The population of the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production comprises all the farms operating in Finland that acquire means of agricultural production on the market.
Reference area (SIMS 3.7)
The geographical reference area for the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production is the whole of Finland.
Time coverage (SIMS 3.8)
Time series are available for the latest 2020=100 indices starting from the index data for January 2000. The production of the 2015=100, 2010=100, 2005=100 and 2000=100 series will continue until further notice. The 2000=100 series is available at the main category level from January 1995 onwards. Endast indexet för det senaste basåret beräknas verkligt, och tidsserierna för äldre basår kedjas framåt med förändringarna av det nyaste basåret. The index data will not be revised at a later stage.
Base period (SIMS 3.9)
The base period of the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production is 2020 (2020=100). The index series 2020=100 was introduced from the beginning of 2024.
Unit of measure (SIMS 4)
The data for the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production are published as index point figures. The monthly, quarterly and annual change percentages calculated on the basis of the indices are also published.
Reference period (SIMS 5)
The reference period for the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production is a quarter.
Classifications (SIMS 3.2)
The structure of the index is based on Eurostat’s proposal. The six-digit index classification follows, for the most part, the classification of agricultural accounts. The main groups are means and services of agricultural production, and agricultural investment goods and services. The classification is presented in more detail in Annex 1 of the EU's implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1579. In Statistics Finland's classification database, the index classification is available in Finnish, Swedish, and English.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Annual change
Annual change is the relative change of the index in comparison with the corresponding time period one year ago (e.g. annual change of total index of consumer prices, i.e. inflation).
Base index
In the base index the price of the calculation period is always compared with the base period. In the base index weights are usually changed less often than yearly, for example, at intervals of five years.
Chain index
In the chain index the comparison takes place always between successive calculation periods. In the chain index the change in two calculation periods is used to take forward the index point figure of the desired base period. In the chain index the weights are changed in principle in each calculation period. At times the chain index is also mentioned in such cases where the comparison period is retained fixed in comparisons within the year, but the comparison period and the weight structure of the index is changed whenever the year changes.
Farmer price
Tax-free prices paid by farmers for their means of production when arriving on farms.
Index
An index is a ratio describing the relative change in a variable (e.g. price, volume or value) compared to a certain base period (e.g. one year). The index point figure for each point in time tells what percentage the given examined variable is of its respective value or volume at the base point in time. The mean of the index point figures for the base period is 100.
Index formula
Index formula is a mathematical function by means of which an individual key figure describing change is calculated from observation values (e.g. Fischer, Laspeyres and Paasche index formulas).
Index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production
The index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production measures the price developments in the cost factors of agriculture. The index shows by how much the purchase prices of the means of agricultural production have changed when compared with the index base period.
Monthly change
Monthly change is the relative change in the index from a time period one month earlier. The change is usually expressed as a percentage.
Point figure
Point figure is a change quantity used in price indices, which expresses the price, average price or index of the comparison period relative to the price, average price or index of the base period. The point figure of the base period is usually denoted by the number hundred. For example, if the point figure for a commodity at a certain point in time is 105.3, it means that the price of that commodity has risen by 5.3 per cent from the base period.
Quarterly change
Quarterly change refers to the relative change in the index of the quarter compared with the index of the previous quarter. The change is usually expressed in percentages.
Weight structure
Describes what meaning each sub-index (commodity, employee group, etc.) belonging to the index has for total index.
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
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
Legal acts and other agreements (SIMS 6.1)
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 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 EU Agricultural Statistics Regulation (EU) 2022/2379 and its implementing regulation (EU) 2023/1579 supplementing agricultural price statistics guide the compilation of agricultural price indices to the extent applicable. However, the regulation will become fully binding only for the compilation of the indices with base year 2025 (2025=100).
Until 2025, the production of the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production was based on a long-standing “gentlemen’s agreement” with the statistical office of the European Commission, Eurostat.
The compilation of statistics is also indirectly based on the following acts: Regulation (EC) No 138/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the economic accounts for agriculture, the act on the food and natural resources statistics 27.6.2014/562, and the Statistics Act (280/2004, amend. 361/2013).
Only the necessary data that are not available from administrative data sources are collected from data suppliers.
Data sharing (SIMS 6.2)
The index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production is published quarterly as a statistical release on the website of Statistics Finland. At the same time, data for the months included in the respective quarter are also published.
In connection with the release for the first quarter of the year, the annual data for the previous year are also published.
The published index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production is transmitted quarterly to Eurostat, which publishes them on its own website.
Source data (SIMS 18.1)
The main data sources for the index include enterprises, associations and central agricultural retail corporations. In addition to data collected directly from enterprises, price data or index point figures from other statistics of Statistics Finland are also used in the compilation of the price indices.
Frequency of data collection (SIMS 18.2)
As a rule, data for the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production are collected on a monthly basis. Price data on products with low price fluctuations are collected quarterly, half-yearly or once a year.
Data collection (SIMS 18.3)
The index source data are collected directly from the data suppliers primarly by means of Statistics Finland’s online survey. Price data are also extracted from company websites. Other data sources include the producer price indices for manufactured products and for services, building cost indices, and consumer price index.
The collection of price data is increasingly based on the use of companies’ sales data. This reduces the response burden on enterprises and improves the quality of the statistics.
Data validation (SIMS 18.4)
Reminders are actively sent for missing data. The data are checked during the compilation of the statistics at both observation and aggregate level. Significant or divergent price changes and changes in products are reviewed and additional information is requested from the data supplier, if necessary. The accuracy of the calculated index point figures is assessed by comparing them with the source data and general market information.
Data compilation (SIMS 18.5)
The validated price observations form the statistical data. Temporarily missing price observations are imputed on the basis of changes in the prices of other similar products, or the price of the previous month is used. Permanently missing price observations are replaced with another product from the same product group provided by the respondent, or a new data provider is selected for the product.
Company sales data delivered separately by enterprises are processed in several stages before the index calculation. First, the coverage and integrity of the data are checked. The data are then classified into product groups in accordance with the product classification of the index. Outliers are identified and processed to ensure data quality. Finally, product group-specific index figures are calculated using the Fisher index formula, after which the figures are incorporated into the actual index calculation.
The index point figures are calculated with the base method using the Laspeyres index formula. The observations are aggregated by weighting coefficients for products and data suppliers to higher product group levels and ultimately into the total index. The weighting coefficients are used to estimate index point figures and price changes describing the population.
Overall accuracy (SIMS 13.1)
Sources of error and factors affecting the accuracy of the statistics may include the lack of price data for part of the year, inadequate handling of product quality changes in the index calculation, sampling error, lack of precision in the index weight structure in the event of major structural changes in agricultural production, coverage of price data collected from data suppliers, inaccurate data, and possible processing errors. The main production supplies and services purchased by the farmer and the main investments made have been selected in the index product basket. Therefore, not all prices are monitored, but the products selected in the product basket represent a larger product group.
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
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 | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland
Quality assessment (SIMS 11.2)
The quality of the index is assessed in several stages of the statistical process. Changes in unit-level data are examined monthly and the correctness of exceptional data is examined. Aggregate level data are also checked.
Data revision - policy (SIMS 17.1)
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
Timeliness (SIMS 14.1)
Monthly, quarterly data, as well as annual data, is published on the statistics website approximately 45 days after the end of the statistical period. The publication delay for monthly data is 45–105 days.
Punctuality (SIMS 14.2)
The data are published on the dates specified in the release calendar.
Comparability - geographical (SIMS 15.1)
The compilation of the index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production is based on a handbook drawn up jointly by the Member States and Eurostat, as well as, where applicable, EU Regulations (EU) 2022/2379 and (EU) 2023/1579, in order to establish uniform methods and comparable results between different countries. The aforementioned regulations become binding only when the base year changes to 2025 (2025=100).
Comparability - over time (SIMS 15.2)
The index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production has been calculated using Eurostat's classifications since 1990. The index series are not fully comparable with the index series currently in use, for example in terms of taxation and classifications.
The data is comparable from the year 1995. At the time of Finland’s accession to the European Union in 1995, the calculation method of the index was changed to reflect Eurostat's classifications. Since the beginning of 1995, agriculture became subject to VAT, which decreased the index at the time.
The reference period for the indices, i.e., the base year, is 2020. Publication of indices with base years 2015=100, 2010=100, 2005=100, and 2000=100 will continue. Only the index of the most recent base year is genuinely calculated, and the time series of older base years are chained forward with the changes of the newest base year.
Coherence – cross domain (SIMS 15.3)
The agricultural accounts of national accounts and the weight structure of the agricultural price indices are coherent in terms of the items that are common to the statistics. The on-farm consumption and the change in stocks are not considered in the agricultural producer price indices. This is due to methodological differences in the statistics.
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
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 access (SIMS 8.2)
Statistics Finland's release calendar Future publications
Future publications of the statistics can be found on the page of the statistics at: Future publications of the statistics
User access (SIMS 8.3)
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. The terms of use for statistical data.
Frequency of dissemination (SIMS 9)
The statistics are published quarterly.
News release (SIMS 10.1)
A press release regarding quarterly data, as well as annual data, is published on the the home page of the statistics approximately 45 days after the end of the statistical period. The publication delay for monthly data is 45–105 days.
Online database (SIMS 10.3)
The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.
Micro-data access (SIMS 10.4)
Microdata at the unit level of the statistics are used solely for the production of the statistics and for research purposes. Individuals other than those involved in statistical production do not have access to the microdata.
Other (SIMS 10.5)
The release of current news, such as news highlights, is decided on a case-by-case basis. Channels for current news include:
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
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 and the Finnish Data Protection Act 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.
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 | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment (SIMS 7.2)
In published statistics, data are reported at a level at which data on an individual data supplier cannot be identified. In the data transmitted to Eurostat, such data are labelled as confidential.