Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the traditional economic activities in Estonia. It has provided us with food for millennia. Agriculture continues to be important in Estonia, supplying food for not just our own people but for other countries as well, and providing jobs for many local people.

The statistics give an overview of agriculture in Estonia by month, quarter and year. Statistics Estonia publishes agricultural indicators for Estonia as a whole and for counties, covering:

• crop farming (areas, production, fertilisation)
• animal farming (livestock, production, purchase prices)
• milk use (production of milk products)
• organic farming
• agricultural income indicators (value of output, costs, value added)
• sale and rental prices of agricultural land
• consumption of agricultural products
• labour force and other gainful activities
• production methods
• sizes and types of agricultural holdings

Agricultural statistics are used to assess the situation of the sector, monitor production and consumption trends as well as food security.

• The economic accounts for agriculture are a key input to national accounts.
• The statistics on agricultural land prices reflect how direct support paid to agricultural producers affects the price of land.
• Data on agricultural production and purchase prices are used in the economic accounts for agriculture.
• Consumption data reflect national demand and consumption trends.
• Data on agricultural production allow assessing the country’s food self-sufficiency.

A large share of agricultural statistics in the European Union are based on a common methodology. The statistics are used for analysis, to prepare development plans and to assess the effectiveness of the EU Common Agricultural Policy.

Agricultural statistics are also vital for other domains. Agricultural indicators are used, for example, in the compilation of the national greenhouse gas emission inventories and in reports required under the EU Nitrates Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.