Farm structure survey
Kiirviited
- Purpose
- Type of activity
- Statistical presentation
- Unit of measure
- Reference period
- Institutional mandate
- Confidentiality
- Release policy
- Frequenct of dissemination
- Accessibility and clarity
- Quality management
- Relevance
- Accuracy and reliability
- Timeliness and punctuality
- Coherence and comparability
- Cost and burden
- Data revision
- Statistical processing
- Comment
Kontakt
Contact organisation: Statistics Estonia
Contact organisation unit: Economic and Environmental Statistics Department
Contact name: Ege Kirs
Contact person function: Agricultural and Technology Statistics Service Team, Leading Analyst
Contact mail address: Tatari 51, 10134 Tallinn, Estonia
Contact email address: ege.kirs@stat.ee
Contact phone number: 372 5359 9845
Metadata last certified 23/01/2026
Metadata last update 20/11/2025
Purpose
The data are used for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policy areas of the European Union and Estonia. The main policies depending on these data are:
- the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), incl. direct payments, market measures, and rural development programmes
- the Water Framework Directive, incl. the Nitrates Directive and the Groundwater Directive
- air-related directives, incl. National Emission Ceiling, Air Quality, and Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control
- climate change policies (related to the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change)
- nature conservation legislation, the Birds and Habitats Directives, and other biodiversity policy measures
- soil-related policies, incl. the Soil Thematic Strategy and the Sewage Sludge Directive
- food safety, plant protection, and animal health and animal welfare regulations
- regional cohesion policy
- EU action plan for the Circular Economy.
In addition, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) relies on these data for researching the development of the above-mentioned policy areas, for developing models, etc.
- the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), incl. direct payments, market measures, and rural development programmes
- the Water Framework Directive, incl. the Nitrates Directive and the Groundwater Directive
- air-related directives, incl. National Emission Ceiling, Air Quality, and Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control
- climate change policies (related to the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change)
- nature conservation legislation, the Birds and Habitats Directives, and other biodiversity policy measures
- soil-related policies, incl. the Soil Thematic Strategy and the Sewage Sludge Directive
- food safety, plant protection, and animal health and animal welfare regulations
- regional cohesion policy
- EU action plan for the Circular Economy.
In addition, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) relies on these data for researching the development of the above-mentioned policy areas, for developing models, etc.
Type of activity
Multisource process
Statistical presentation
Data description (S.3.1)
Farm Structure Surveys are conducted as a sample survey every 3–4 years in the European Union. The survey is carried out every 10 years as an agricultural census.
The core structural data of the Farm Structure Survey are the location, legal form, manager, land use, number of livestock and other general data of the holding.
Data on holding management: manager of the holding; information about the manager, incl. length of time as manager, age, sex, working hours in the holding (e.g. 25–50% of full-time working hours, etc.), agricultural qualifications and participation in vocational training.
Data on land use: land tenure by type, utilised agricultural area by type of ownership and agricultural crops.
Number of livestock, poultry and beehives.
The modules connected with the core structural data in the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were labour force and other gainful activities, rural development, tillage practices and machinery and equipment.
The modules connected with the core structural data in the 2020 Agricultural Census were labour force and other gainful activities, rural development, animal housing and manure management.
Labour force and other gainful activities of the holding: working hours of the holder and his or her family members, permanent, temporary and other employees; other gainful activities related to the holding, other gainful activities of the holding’s labour force outside the holding.
Rural development: receipt of rural development subsidies.
Animal housing and manure management: animal housing, nutrient use and manure in agricultural holdings, manure application techniques, facilities for manure.
Cultivation practices: tillage methods, soil cover in winter, crop rotation, ecological focus areas.
Machinery and equipment: use of the internet, own machinery and equipment, machinery sharing, precision farming, livestock machinery and equipment, storage of agricultural products, use of renewable energy equipment.
The data collected with the survey are combined with the crop and animal farming data from the organic farming register of the Estonian Agricultural and Food Board, data on rural development and other subsidies from the Agricultural Registers and Information Board, data on enterprise groups from the business register for statistical purposes, and data on the location of holdings.
The core structural data of the Farm Structure Survey are the location, legal form, manager, land use, number of livestock and other general data of the holding.
Data on holding management: manager of the holding; information about the manager, incl. length of time as manager, age, sex, working hours in the holding (e.g. 25–50% of full-time working hours, etc.), agricultural qualifications and participation in vocational training.
Data on land use: land tenure by type, utilised agricultural area by type of ownership and agricultural crops.
Number of livestock, poultry and beehives.
The modules connected with the core structural data in the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were labour force and other gainful activities, rural development, tillage practices and machinery and equipment.
The modules connected with the core structural data in the 2020 Agricultural Census were labour force and other gainful activities, rural development, animal housing and manure management.
Labour force and other gainful activities of the holding: working hours of the holder and his or her family members, permanent, temporary and other employees; other gainful activities related to the holding, other gainful activities of the holding’s labour force outside the holding.
Rural development: receipt of rural development subsidies.
Animal housing and manure management: animal housing, nutrient use and manure in agricultural holdings, manure application techniques, facilities for manure.
Cultivation practices: tillage methods, soil cover in winter, crop rotation, ecological focus areas.
Machinery and equipment: use of the internet, own machinery and equipment, machinery sharing, precision farming, livestock machinery and equipment, storage of agricultural products, use of renewable energy equipment.
The data collected with the survey are combined with the crop and animal farming data from the organic farming register of the Estonian Agricultural and Food Board, data on rural development and other subsidies from the Agricultural Registers and Information Board, data on enterprise groups from the business register for statistical purposes, and data on the location of holdings.
Classification system (S.3.2)
Classification of Estonian administrative units and settlements (EHAK);
Classification of Use of Agricultural Land;
classification of agricultural holdings by type of farming (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220
Classification of Use of Agricultural Land;
classification of agricultural holdings by type of farming (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220
Sector coverage (S.3.3)
Farm Structure Surveys cover both legal and natural persons called agricultural holdings.
Contrary to other agricultural statistics, Farm Structure Surveys cover only those agricultural holdings above the threshold agreed within the EU, i.e. holdings that meet at least one of the following conditions:
- 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area (incl. arable land, permanent grassland, fruit and/or berry plantations, tree nurseries and kitchen gardens);
- 2 hectares of arable land;
- 0.5 hectares of potatoes;
- 0.5 hectares of outdoor vegetables or strawberries;
- 0.2 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, flowers and/or ornamental plants, area under seeds, outdoor tree nurseries;
- 0.3 hectares of fruit and berry plantations and/or other permanent outdoor crops;
- 0.1 hectares of outdoor grapevines;
- 100 m² of greenhouses;
- 1.7 livestock units of animals (one livestock unit corresponds to, e.g., 1 dairy cow; other animals have lower coefficients, e.g. 0.8 for a non-dairy cow; 0.3 for a fattening pig; 0.007 for a broiler, etc.).
The data collected must cover at least 98% of the utilised agricultural area (excl. kitchen gardens) and 98% of the livestock units in the country.
Contrary to other agricultural statistics, Farm Structure Surveys cover only those agricultural holdings above the threshold agreed within the EU, i.e. holdings that meet at least one of the following conditions:
- 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area (incl. arable land, permanent grassland, fruit and/or berry plantations, tree nurseries and kitchen gardens);
- 2 hectares of arable land;
- 0.5 hectares of potatoes;
- 0.5 hectares of outdoor vegetables or strawberries;
- 0.2 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, flowers and/or ornamental plants, area under seeds, outdoor tree nurseries;
- 0.3 hectares of fruit and berry plantations and/or other permanent outdoor crops;
- 0.1 hectares of outdoor grapevines;
- 100 m² of greenhouses;
- 1.7 livestock units of animals (one livestock unit corresponds to, e.g., 1 dairy cow; other animals have lower coefficients, e.g. 0.8 for a non-dairy cow; 0.3 for a fattening pig; 0.007 for a broiler, etc.).
The data collected must cover at least 98% of the utilised agricultural area (excl. kitchen gardens) and 98% of the livestock units in the country.
Statistical concepts and definitions (S.3.4)
Agricultural holding – until 2019 inclusive, agricultural holding was a single unit, both technically and economically, that has a single management and that produces agricultural products or maintains its land in good agricultural and environmental condition and where there is at least one hectare of utilised agricultural area or there is less than one hectare of utilised agricultural area and agricultural products are produced mainly for sale.
From 2020, agricultural holding is a single unit, both technically and economically, that has a single management and where there is at least:
- 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area or
- 2 hectares of arable land or
- 0.5 hectares of potatoes or
- 0.5 hectares of outdoor vegetables and strawberries or
- 0.2 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, flowers, seeds, outdoor tree nurseries or
- 0.3 hectares of fruit and berry plantations, other permanent outdoor crops or
- 0.1 hectares of outdoor grapevines or
- 100 m² of greenhouses or
- 1.7 livestock units of animals.
Units where agricultural products are not produced but land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition are considered as agricultural holdings from 2007.
Arable land – land worked regularly, generally under a system of crop rotation.
Arable land consists of:
- area under cereals (wheat, rye, triticale, barley, oats, mixed grain, buckwheat) for the production of dry grain;
- area under dry pulses (peas, field beans and lupins, other dry pulses, including mixture of cereals and dry pulses) for the production of dry grain;
- area under potatoes;
- area under fodder roots (excluding seeds);
- area under industrial crops (rape and turnip rape, linseed, flax, aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, other industrial crops);
- area under fresh vegetables, outdoor or under low (non-accessible) cover;
- area under flowers and ornamental plants, outdoor or under low (non-accessible) cover;
- area under fresh vegetables under glass or high (accessible) cover (crops which for the whole of the period of growth or for the predominant part of it are covered by greenhouses or fixed or mobile high cover (glass or rigid or flexible plastic));
- area under flowers and ornamental plants under glass or high (accessible) cover (crops which for the whole of the period of growth or for the predominant part of it are covered by greenhouses or fixed or mobile high cover (glass or rigid or flexible plastic));
- area under annual forage crops (cereals, maize, dry pulses, rape and turnip rape, other annual forage crops);
- area under multiannual forage crops (leguminous plants and grasses for hay, silage or grazing, grown in temporary grassland in rotation with other arable crops and occupying the same land for a maximum of five years);
- area under forage crops seeds;
- fallow land – land left to recover, normally for the whole of a crop year (bare land and green fallow).
Conversion period – transition from non-organic to organic farming, within a given time period, during which the provisions concerning organic production are applied. During that period, the production cannot yet be labelled as organic.
Fruit and berry plantation – area for growing fruits and berries (incl. forest berries, and fruits and berries grown in kitchen garden for own consumption)
Fully converted – agricultural area and/or livestock which has passed the fixed conversion period from non-organic to organic farming, during which the provisions concerning organic production were and will be continuously applied. After the conversion period, the production can be labelled as organic.
Kitchen garden – area separated from the rest of the holding’s agricultural land, devoted to the cultivation of agricultural products for the consumption by persons living on the holding (only occasional surplus products are sold). Decorative gardens (parks and lawns) are not included.
Labour input in annual work units (AWU) – at least 1,800 hours of agricultural work on the holding over a 12-month period
Livestock unit (LSU) – a standard measurement unit that allows the aggregation of various species of livestock and poultry. Livestock units are defined on the basis of the feed requirements of individual animal categories. A dairy cow corresponds to one livestock unit, the coefficients of other animals are smaller (e.g. bovine animal – 0.8; fattening pig – 0.3; broiler – 0.007). The coefficients of livestock units are stated with EU Parliament and Council regulation No 2018/1091.
Manure application techniques are as follows:
- broadcast (manure incorporated into the soil within 4 hours after application, manure incorporated into the soil between 4 and 24 hours after application, manure not incorporated into the soil or manure incorporated into the soil after 24 hours);
- band spread with a trailing hose (manure is spread on the ground – grass or arable land – using a number of flexible hoses);
- band spread with a trailing shoe (manure is usually spread using rigid tubes attached to foot- or shoe-shaped devices, so that the manure is spread directly on the ground under the plant. Some trailing shoe spreaders cut a shallow slit in the soil to improve infiltration);
- injection, shallow/open-slit (manure is applied in shallow slits, typically around 50 mm deep, regardless of whether the slits are left open or closed after application);
- injection, deep/closed-slit (manure is applied in deep slits, typically around 150 mm deep, which are closed after application).
Nursery – area of young ligneous (woody) plants, fruit trees, berry bushes or ornamental young plants grown in the open air (incl. greenhouses) for subsequent planting in gardens, parks, etc; commercial forest-tree nurseries, whether in woodland or outside, are included. Excluded are non-commercial nurseries of forest trees in woodland.
Organic farming – sustainable production of agricultural produce, which maintains basic equilibrium, is environmentally sustainable, and is carried out in compliance with the Organic Farming Act and other relevant legislation. Holdings with organic farm production have the approval of the Estonian Agriculture and Food Board (either fully compliant with the principles of organic production or still in a conversion period).
Permanent grassland – land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown), and that has not been included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or more. It may include other species suitable for grazing, provided that the grasses or other herbaceous forage remain predominant.
Standard output – the monetary value of gross agricultural production at farm-gate price corresponding to the average situation of any agricultural activity, which is calculated on the basis of crop area, number of livestock, and standard output coefficients.
Type of farming – determined on the basis of the share of standard output. If the share of one activity is at least two thirds of the holding’s standard output, the holding is considered to be a specialist holding, otherwise it is engaged in mixed farming.
Utilised agricultural area – area utilised in the survey year for agricultural production or maintained in good agricultural and environmental conditions (incl. arable land, permanent grassland, fruit and berry plantations, nurseries, and kitchen gardens). Land not used for agricultural production but maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition is included in agricultural area from 2007.
From 2020, agricultural holding is a single unit, both technically and economically, that has a single management and where there is at least:
- 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area or
- 2 hectares of arable land or
- 0.5 hectares of potatoes or
- 0.5 hectares of outdoor vegetables and strawberries or
- 0.2 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, flowers, seeds, outdoor tree nurseries or
- 0.3 hectares of fruit and berry plantations, other permanent outdoor crops or
- 0.1 hectares of outdoor grapevines or
- 100 m² of greenhouses or
- 1.7 livestock units of animals.
Units where agricultural products are not produced but land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition are considered as agricultural holdings from 2007.
Arable land – land worked regularly, generally under a system of crop rotation.
Arable land consists of:
- area under cereals (wheat, rye, triticale, barley, oats, mixed grain, buckwheat) for the production of dry grain;
- area under dry pulses (peas, field beans and lupins, other dry pulses, including mixture of cereals and dry pulses) for the production of dry grain;
- area under potatoes;
- area under fodder roots (excluding seeds);
- area under industrial crops (rape and turnip rape, linseed, flax, aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, other industrial crops);
- area under fresh vegetables, outdoor or under low (non-accessible) cover;
- area under flowers and ornamental plants, outdoor or under low (non-accessible) cover;
- area under fresh vegetables under glass or high (accessible) cover (crops which for the whole of the period of growth or for the predominant part of it are covered by greenhouses or fixed or mobile high cover (glass or rigid or flexible plastic));
- area under flowers and ornamental plants under glass or high (accessible) cover (crops which for the whole of the period of growth or for the predominant part of it are covered by greenhouses or fixed or mobile high cover (glass or rigid or flexible plastic));
- area under annual forage crops (cereals, maize, dry pulses, rape and turnip rape, other annual forage crops);
- area under multiannual forage crops (leguminous plants and grasses for hay, silage or grazing, grown in temporary grassland in rotation with other arable crops and occupying the same land for a maximum of five years);
- area under forage crops seeds;
- fallow land – land left to recover, normally for the whole of a crop year (bare land and green fallow).
Conversion period – transition from non-organic to organic farming, within a given time period, during which the provisions concerning organic production are applied. During that period, the production cannot yet be labelled as organic.
Fruit and berry plantation – area for growing fruits and berries (incl. forest berries, and fruits and berries grown in kitchen garden for own consumption)
Fully converted – agricultural area and/or livestock which has passed the fixed conversion period from non-organic to organic farming, during which the provisions concerning organic production were and will be continuously applied. After the conversion period, the production can be labelled as organic.
Kitchen garden – area separated from the rest of the holding’s agricultural land, devoted to the cultivation of agricultural products for the consumption by persons living on the holding (only occasional surplus products are sold). Decorative gardens (parks and lawns) are not included.
Labour input in annual work units (AWU) – at least 1,800 hours of agricultural work on the holding over a 12-month period
Livestock unit (LSU) – a standard measurement unit that allows the aggregation of various species of livestock and poultry. Livestock units are defined on the basis of the feed requirements of individual animal categories. A dairy cow corresponds to one livestock unit, the coefficients of other animals are smaller (e.g. bovine animal – 0.8; fattening pig – 0.3; broiler – 0.007). The coefficients of livestock units are stated with EU Parliament and Council regulation No 2018/1091.
Manure application techniques are as follows:
- broadcast (manure incorporated into the soil within 4 hours after application, manure incorporated into the soil between 4 and 24 hours after application, manure not incorporated into the soil or manure incorporated into the soil after 24 hours);
- band spread with a trailing hose (manure is spread on the ground – grass or arable land – using a number of flexible hoses);
- band spread with a trailing shoe (manure is usually spread using rigid tubes attached to foot- or shoe-shaped devices, so that the manure is spread directly on the ground under the plant. Some trailing shoe spreaders cut a shallow slit in the soil to improve infiltration);
- injection, shallow/open-slit (manure is applied in shallow slits, typically around 50 mm deep, regardless of whether the slits are left open or closed after application);
- injection, deep/closed-slit (manure is applied in deep slits, typically around 150 mm deep, which are closed after application).
Nursery – area of young ligneous (woody) plants, fruit trees, berry bushes or ornamental young plants grown in the open air (incl. greenhouses) for subsequent planting in gardens, parks, etc; commercial forest-tree nurseries, whether in woodland or outside, are included. Excluded are non-commercial nurseries of forest trees in woodland.
Organic farming – sustainable production of agricultural produce, which maintains basic equilibrium, is environmentally sustainable, and is carried out in compliance with the Organic Farming Act and other relevant legislation. Holdings with organic farm production have the approval of the Estonian Agriculture and Food Board (either fully compliant with the principles of organic production or still in a conversion period).
Permanent grassland – land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown), and that has not been included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or more. It may include other species suitable for grazing, provided that the grasses or other herbaceous forage remain predominant.
Standard output – the monetary value of gross agricultural production at farm-gate price corresponding to the average situation of any agricultural activity, which is calculated on the basis of crop area, number of livestock, and standard output coefficients.
Type of farming – determined on the basis of the share of standard output. If the share of one activity is at least two thirds of the holding’s standard output, the holding is considered to be a specialist holding, otherwise it is engaged in mixed farming.
Utilised agricultural area – area utilised in the survey year for agricultural production or maintained in good agricultural and environmental conditions (incl. arable land, permanent grassland, fruit and berry plantations, nurseries, and kitchen gardens). Land not used for agricultural production but maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition is included in agricultural area from 2007.
Statistical unit (S.3.5)
Agricultural holding
Statistical population (S.3.6)
Agricultural holding above the threshold agreed within the EU, i.e. holding that meets at least one of the following conditions:
- 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area (incl. arable land, permanent grassland, fruit and berry plantations, nurseries and kitchen gardens);
- 2 hectares of arable land;
- 0.5 hectares of potatoes;
- 0.5 hectares of vegetables and strawberries;
- 0.2 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, flowers and ornamental plants, area under seeds and nurseries;
- 0.3 hectares of fruit and berry plantations and other permanent crops;
- 0.1 hectares of grapes;
- 100 m² of greenhouses;
- 1.7 livestock units of animals (one livestock unit corresponds to, e.g. 1 non-dairy cow; other animals have lower coefficients, e.g. 0.8 for a bovine animal, 0.3 for a fattening pig, 0.007 for a broiler, etc.).
- 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area (incl. arable land, permanent grassland, fruit and berry plantations, nurseries and kitchen gardens);
- 2 hectares of arable land;
- 0.5 hectares of potatoes;
- 0.5 hectares of vegetables and strawberries;
- 0.2 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, flowers and ornamental plants, area under seeds and nurseries;
- 0.3 hectares of fruit and berry plantations and other permanent crops;
- 0.1 hectares of grapes;
- 100 m² of greenhouses;
- 1.7 livestock units of animals (one livestock unit corresponds to, e.g. 1 non-dairy cow; other animals have lower coefficients, e.g. 0.8 for a bovine animal, 0.3 for a fattening pig, 0.007 for a broiler, etc.).
Reference area (S.3.7)
Estonia as a whole
Time coverage (S.3.8)
2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020, 2023
Data since the 2001 Agricultural Census have been published in the database. An Agricultural Census is a Farm Structure Survey in which the estimates are based on the complete enumeration of all holdings.
Since 2020, a new threshold for agricultural holdings is used in the Farm Structure Survey across the European Union (since 2023, data on grapes are included in the threshold in Estonia). Therefore, without recalculations, the data are not directly comparable with data from previous years. The data from the 2023 Farm Structure Survey are directly comparable with the data from the 2020 Agricultural Census.
To enable comparability with the data of the previous years, the data for 2010 have been recalculated, where possible, according to the new threshold for agricultural holdings.
Data since the 2001 Agricultural Census have been published in the database. An Agricultural Census is a Farm Structure Survey in which the estimates are based on the complete enumeration of all holdings.
Since 2020, a new threshold for agricultural holdings is used in the Farm Structure Survey across the European Union (since 2023, data on grapes are included in the threshold in Estonia). Therefore, without recalculations, the data are not directly comparable with data from previous years. The data from the 2023 Farm Structure Survey are directly comparable with the data from the 2020 Agricultural Census.
To enable comparability with the data of the previous years, the data for 2010 have been recalculated, where possible, according to the new threshold for agricultural holdings.
Base period (S.3.9)
Not applicable
Unit of measure
Area – hectare (ha);
agricultural holdings, animals, poultry, colonies of bees, employed persons, tractors, etc. – number;
labour input – annual work unit (AWU);
storage, amount of slurry/liquid manure imported to, or exported from, the agricultural holding – cubic metre (m3);
amount of solid manure or other organic fertilisers imported to, or exported from, the agricultural holding – tonne;
amount of time of grazing time of herbivores, amount of time the storage facilities can hold the manure produced on the agricultural holding – month;
total livestock production for all species of livestock – livestock unit (LSU);
standard output of the holding (economic size) – euro
agricultural holdings, animals, poultry, colonies of bees, employed persons, tractors, etc. – number;
labour input – annual work unit (AWU);
storage, amount of slurry/liquid manure imported to, or exported from, the agricultural holding – cubic metre (m3);
amount of solid manure or other organic fertilisers imported to, or exported from, the agricultural holding – tonne;
amount of time of grazing time of herbivores, amount of time the storage facilities can hold the manure produced on the agricultural holding – month;
total livestock production for all species of livestock – livestock unit (LSU);
standard output of the holding (economic size) – euro
Reference period
Year.
Land use data are for 2023. Animal farming data are as at 1 September 2023 (the moment of survey). Data on labour force, cultivation practices and machinery and equipment are for the 12 months preceding the moment of survey.
Manure management data and the average number of animals in animal housing are for the 12 months preceding the moment of survey.
Rural development subsidies are for the period 2021–2023. Other data are as at 1 September 2023.
Land use data are for 2023. Animal farming data are as at 1 September 2023 (the moment of survey). Data on labour force, cultivation practices and machinery and equipment are for the 12 months preceding the moment of survey.
Manure management data and the average number of animals in animal housing are for the 12 months preceding the moment of survey.
Rural development subsidies are for the period 2021–2023. Other data are as at 1 September 2023.
Institutional mandate
Legal acts and other agreements (S.6.1)
Official Statistics Act;
Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018
on integrated farm statistics and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1166/2008 and (EU) No 1337/2011 (Text with EEA relevance);
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2286 of 16 December 2021 on the data to be provided for the reference year 2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics as regards the list of variables and their description and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1200/2009 (Text with EEA relevance);
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/405 of 16 March 2020 specifying the arrangements for, and contents of, the quality reports to be transmitted under Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics (Text with EEA relevance).
Administrative data are obtained on the basis of contracts from ARIB, the Agriculture and Food Board and the Land and Spatial Development Board, as well as from the Tax and Customs Board (employment register) and the Transport Administration (traffic register).
Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018
on integrated farm statistics and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1166/2008 and (EU) No 1337/2011 (Text with EEA relevance);
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2286 of 16 December 2021 on the data to be provided for the reference year 2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics as regards the list of variables and their description and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1200/2009 (Text with EEA relevance);
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/405 of 16 March 2020 specifying the arrangements for, and contents of, the quality reports to be transmitted under Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics (Text with EEA relevance).
Administrative data are obtained on the basis of contracts from ARIB, the Agriculture and Food Board and the Land and Spatial Development Board, as well as from the Tax and Customs Board (employment register) and the Transport Administration (traffic register).
Data sharing (S.6.2)
None
Confidentiality
Confidentiality - policy (S.7.1)
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 32, § 34, § 35 and § 38 of the Official Statistics Act.
Confidentiality - data treatment (S.7.2)
The dissemination of data collected for the production of official statistics is based on the requirements laid down in §§ 34 and 35 of the Official Statistics Act.
The principles for treatment of confidential data can be found here: Data protection (Privacy policy).
The principles for treatment of confidential data can be found here: Data protection (Privacy policy).
Release policy
Release calendar (S.8.1)
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website. Every year on 1 October, the release times of the statistical database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications for the following year are announced in the release calendar (in the case of publications – the release month).
Release calendar access (S.8.2)
The release calendar is available to consumers on the website Calendar.
User access (S.8.3)
All users have been granted equal access to official statistics: dissemination dates of official statistics are announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) is provided access to official statistics before other users. Official statistics are first published in the statistical database. If there is also a news release, it is published simultaneously with data in the statistical database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8:00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calendar.
Frequenct of dissemination
Over three or four years
Accessibility and clarity
News release (S.10.1)
The production of news releases is decided on a rolling basis.
On 13.02.2024, the news story "The utilised agricultural area per holding in Estonia is one of the biggest in Europe" was published.
On 13.02.2024, the news story "The utilised agricultural area per holding in Estonia is one of the biggest in Europe" was published.
Publications (S.10.2)
Not published
On-line database (S.10.3)
The preliminary results are published in February 2024. The final data will be published after validation by Eurostat.
The data are published in the statistical database under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Livestock farming in the following tables:
PMS041: Livestock and poultry of agricultural holdings;
PMS043: Cattle and dairy cows by size class of herd;
PMS044: Sheep by size class of herd;
PMS045: Pigs by size class of herd,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Machinery and equipment in the following tables:
PMS312: Tractors used in farm work and solely owned by the holding by power class;
PMS313: Use of machinery and equipment;
PMS314: Storage for agricultural products,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Agricultural production methods in the following tables:
PMS641: Housing of dairy cows and other cattle by type of housing;
PMS642: Grazing of dairy cows and other cattle by amount of time of grazing;
PMS643: Pig's housing by type of housing;
PMS644: Laying hen's housing by type of housing;
PMS645: Nutrient use and manure handling;
PMS646: Agricultural holdings by type of manure application;
PMS647: Agricultural holdings with manure storage facilities by kind of storage facility;
PMS648: Manure pits by duration of storage;
PMS649: Soil management practices on outdoor arable land by type;
PMS650: Soil cover on arable land during winter,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Crop farming in the following tables:
PMS141: Land use of agricultural holdings;;
PMS142: Utilised agricultural area and crops of agricultural holdings;
PMS143: Utilised agricultural area by size class;
PMS145: Growing of cereals by size class of sown area;
PMS146: Growing of dry pulses by size class of sown area;
PMS147: Growing of potatoes by size class of sown area;
PMS148: Growing of rape and turnip rape by size class of sown area;
PMS149: Growing of outdoor vegetables and strawberries by size class of sown area;
PMS150: Fruit and berry plantations for sales production by size class of sown area,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Labour force in the following tables:
PMS241: Agricultural labour force by legal form of holder, county and kind of labour force;
PMS242: Agricultural permanent labour force by sex, working time and kind of labour force;
PMS243: Agricultural holdings with other gainful activity by kind of activity;
PMS244: Agricultural holdings with other gainful activity by share of activities;
PMS245: Labour force with other gainful activity related to holding in holdings of natural person;
PMS246: Labour force with other gainful activity not related to holding in holdings of natural person,
and under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / General data in the following tables:
PMS441: Agricultural holdings by legal form of holder and county;
PMS442: Key variables of agricultural holdings by economic size;
PMS443: Agricultural holdings by economic size and type of farming;
PMS444: Other general data of agricultural holdings by legal form of holder and county;
PMS445: Agricultural holdings by kind of manager;
PMS446: Agricultural holdings by year classified as a farm manager;
PMS447: Agricultural holdings by agricultural training of manager;
PMS448: Managers by sex and age group;
PMS449: Managers by sex and working time;
PMS450: Agricultural holdings having benefitted support for rural development during three years by kind of support.
For many of the data publications, both the indicator and the corresponding number of agricultural holdings are included.
Tables that have not been updated can be found under the subject area Discontinued datasets / Economy. Archive / Structure of agricultural holdings (1998 and 2008 methodology).
The data are published in the statistical database under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Livestock farming in the following tables:
PMS041: Livestock and poultry of agricultural holdings;
PMS043: Cattle and dairy cows by size class of herd;
PMS044: Sheep by size class of herd;
PMS045: Pigs by size class of herd,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Machinery and equipment in the following tables:
PMS312: Tractors used in farm work and solely owned by the holding by power class;
PMS313: Use of machinery and equipment;
PMS314: Storage for agricultural products,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Agricultural production methods in the following tables:
PMS641: Housing of dairy cows and other cattle by type of housing;
PMS642: Grazing of dairy cows and other cattle by amount of time of grazing;
PMS643: Pig's housing by type of housing;
PMS644: Laying hen's housing by type of housing;
PMS645: Nutrient use and manure handling;
PMS646: Agricultural holdings by type of manure application;
PMS647: Agricultural holdings with manure storage facilities by kind of storage facility;
PMS648: Manure pits by duration of storage;
PMS649: Soil management practices on outdoor arable land by type;
PMS650: Soil cover on arable land during winter,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Crop farming in the following tables:
PMS141: Land use of agricultural holdings;;
PMS142: Utilised agricultural area and crops of agricultural holdings;
PMS143: Utilised agricultural area by size class;
PMS145: Growing of cereals by size class of sown area;
PMS146: Growing of dry pulses by size class of sown area;
PMS147: Growing of potatoes by size class of sown area;
PMS148: Growing of rape and turnip rape by size class of sown area;
PMS149: Growing of outdoor vegetables and strawberries by size class of sown area;
PMS150: Fruit and berry plantations for sales production by size class of sown area,
under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / Labour force in the following tables:
PMS241: Agricultural labour force by legal form of holder, county and kind of labour force;
PMS242: Agricultural permanent labour force by sex, working time and kind of labour force;
PMS243: Agricultural holdings with other gainful activity by kind of activity;
PMS244: Agricultural holdings with other gainful activity by share of activities;
PMS245: Labour force with other gainful activity related to holding in holdings of natural person;
PMS246: Labour force with other gainful activity not related to holding in holdings of natural person,
and under the subject area Economy/Agriculture / Structure of agricultural holdings / General data in the following tables:
PMS441: Agricultural holdings by legal form of holder and county;
PMS442: Key variables of agricultural holdings by economic size;
PMS443: Agricultural holdings by economic size and type of farming;
PMS444: Other general data of agricultural holdings by legal form of holder and county;
PMS445: Agricultural holdings by kind of manager;
PMS446: Agricultural holdings by year classified as a farm manager;
PMS447: Agricultural holdings by agricultural training of manager;
PMS448: Managers by sex and age group;
PMS449: Managers by sex and working time;
PMS450: Agricultural holdings having benefitted support for rural development during three years by kind of support.
For many of the data publications, both the indicator and the corresponding number of agricultural holdings are included.
Tables that have not been updated can be found under the subject area Discontinued datasets / Economy. Archive / Structure of agricultural holdings (1998 and 2008 methodology).
Data tables - consultations (S.10.3.1)
The online database tables of the Farm Structure Survey were viewed 1,817 times in 2024, 2,667 times in 2023, 2,791 times in 2022, 2,396 times in 2021, 5,791 times in 2020, 5,902 times in 2019 and 9,270 times in 2018.
Micro-data access (S.10.4)
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 33, § 34, § 35, § 36, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes.
Other (S.10.5)
The anonymised data and the quality report are submitted to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, which publishes them in the Eurostat database in aggregated form to be used free of charge along with information from other EU countries.
The data and the quality report are also submitted to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which publishes them in the Eurostat database in aggregated form to be used free of charge along with information from other countries of the world.
Data serve as input for statistical activities 21207 “Economic accounts for agriculture”, 21209 “Statistical Register of Agricultural Holdings” and 21214 “Crop farming”.
The data and the quality report are also submitted to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which publishes them in the Eurostat database in aggregated form to be used free of charge along with information from other countries of the world.
Data serve as input for statistical activities 21207 “Economic accounts for agriculture”, 21209 “Statistical Register of Agricultural Holdings” and 21214 “Crop farming”.
Metadata - consultations (S.10.5.1)
The metadata related to the statistics were viewed 211 times (1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024). This figure does not represent the number of viewers, as the metadata may have been viewed multiple times by a single user.
Documentation on methodology (S.10.6)
Eurostat’s methodological manual: Integrated Farm Statistics Manual.
The Farm Structure Surveys also use the typology of agricultural holdings established by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220 of 3 February 2015 laying down rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 of 30 November 2009.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on integrated farm statistics and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1166/2008 and (EU) No 1337/2011;
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2286 of 16 December 2021 on the data to be provided for the reference year 2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics as regards the list of variables and their description and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1200/2009.
The Farm Structure Surveys also use the typology of agricultural holdings established by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220 of 3 February 2015 laying down rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 of 30 November 2009.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on integrated farm statistics and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1166/2008 and (EU) No 1337/2011;
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2286 of 16 December 2021 on the data to be provided for the reference year 2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council on integrated farm statistics as regards the list of variables and their description and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1200/2009.
Quality documentation (S.10.7)
This statistical activity is guided by the European Statistics Code of Practice – revised edition, 2017.
Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018, a report is prepared describing the methodology applied and the quality achieved. A summary of the quality report is published with the data on the Eurostat website. The quality report covers the survey as a whole and is prepared according to the latest valid standard.
Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018, a report is prepared describing the methodology applied and the quality achieved. A summary of the quality report is published with the data on the Eurostat website. The quality report covers the survey as a whole and is prepared according to the latest valid standard.
Quality management
Quality assurance (S.11.1)
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the EFQM Excellence Model and the requirements in section 7 “Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
Quality assessment (S.11.2)
Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process; this information can take many forms, including feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.
Relevance
User needs (S.12.1)
Activities related to the group of output indicators are carried out under Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018. The main representative of public interest for the Farm Structure Survey is the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. The Ministry of Climate is also a user of environmental data.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are used in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU and Estonian policies. The main policy areas requiring these data are: EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), incl. direct payments to farmers, measures for market organisation and rural development programmes; the Water Framework Directive, incl. the Nitrates Directive and Groundwater Directive; air-related directives, incl. the National Emissions Ceilings Directive on the control of air quality and air pollution and the prevention of the pollution; climate change policy (related to the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change); legislation related to nature protection, Birds and Habitats Directives and other biodiversity policy measures; soil policy, incl. soil strategy and the Sewage Sludge Directive; legislation in the fields of food safety, plant protection, animal welfare; regional policy; European Union Action Plan for the Circular Economy. These data are also required by the European Union Joint Research Centre, who uses the information for researching the development of the above-mentioned policy areas, for developing models, etc.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are included among the indicators of the Estonian Agriculture and Fisheries Strategy 2030 (AFS 2030).
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are also included among the planned impact and context indicators of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023–2027.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys serve as input for the compilation of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) database of the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are also used in statistical activities to compile data for output indicator groups for crop farming and economic accounts for agriculture.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are used in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU and Estonian policies. The main policy areas requiring these data are: EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), incl. direct payments to farmers, measures for market organisation and rural development programmes; the Water Framework Directive, incl. the Nitrates Directive and Groundwater Directive; air-related directives, incl. the National Emissions Ceilings Directive on the control of air quality and air pollution and the prevention of the pollution; climate change policy (related to the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change); legislation related to nature protection, Birds and Habitats Directives and other biodiversity policy measures; soil policy, incl. soil strategy and the Sewage Sludge Directive; legislation in the fields of food safety, plant protection, animal welfare; regional policy; European Union Action Plan for the Circular Economy. These data are also required by the European Union Joint Research Centre, who uses the information for researching the development of the above-mentioned policy areas, for developing models, etc.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are included among the indicators of the Estonian Agriculture and Fisheries Strategy 2030 (AFS 2030).
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are also included among the planned impact and context indicators of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023–2027.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys serve as input for the compilation of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) database of the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge.
Data from the Farm Structure Surveys are also used in statistical activities to compile data for output indicator groups for crop farming and economic accounts for agriculture.
User satisfaction (S.12.2)
Since 1996, Statistics Estonia has conducted reputation and user satisfaction surveys. Surveys conducted at least once a year target both the existing and potential consumers of statistics. All results are available on Statistics Estonia's website in the section User surveys. The survey referred to does not concern a specific statistical activity but is a general satisfaction survey.
Completeness (S.12.3)
The requirements set out in the legislation, the handbook and other Eurostat instructions (see "Legal acts and other agreements" and "Documentation on methodology") are fulfilled. All legally required indicators have been collected and transmitted to Eurostat.
Data completeness - rate for U (S.12.3.1a)
All required indicators have been collected and calculated (completeness 100%).
Accuracy and reliability
Overall accuracy (S.13.1)
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure adequate quality, sufficient coverage and timeliness of the data collected.
Prior to data collection, specialists from the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge were consulted on the terminology and comprehensibility of the questionnaires and the questionnaires were tested with selected farmers.
Prior to data collection, specialists from the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge were consulted on the terminology and comprehensibility of the questionnaires and the questionnaires were tested with selected farmers.
Sampling error (S.13.2)
The error due to probability sampling is estimated for all the important published indicators. Sampling errors are within the range required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1091 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018. The quality of the data is evaluated based on related land use and livestock data. The relative standard error of the main variables of land use (at least 7.5% of utilised agricultural area) associated with the core data and the module on labour force and other gainful activities and the main variables of livestock (at least 7.5% of livestock units) must remain and remains below 5%. The relative standard error of the main variables of land use and/or livestock associated with other modules must remain and remains below 7.5%.
More precise sampling errors are provided as part of the quality report submitted to Eurostat.
More precise sampling errors are provided as part of the quality report submitted to Eurostat.
Sampling error - indicators for U (S.13.2.1a)
The sampling error calculations required by the Regulation have been carried out and the sampling errors meet the requirements, i.e. they do not exceed the limits laid down in the Regulation. Sampling error sizes are published on the Eurostat website once the data have been accepted.
Non-sampling error (S.13.3)
The aim is to reduce non-sampling errors through continuous methodological and survey process improvements, incl. minimising under- and over-coverage of the frame.
Under-coverage is minimal because the sample frame is the list of agricultural holdings, updated from various sources. Over-coverage does not affect the quality of the survey as units not meeting the threshold are excluded from the survey results.
Under-coverage is minimal because the sample frame is the list of agricultural holdings, updated from various sources. Over-coverage does not affect the quality of the survey as units not meeting the threshold are excluded from the survey results.
Coverage error (S.13.3.1)
The sample frame is the list of agricultural holdings above the threshold. The list is generated from the statistical register of agricultural holdings. The statistical register of agricultural holdings is regularly updated on the basis of statistical surveys and administrative sources (e.g. ARIB’s registers, organic farming register).
Over-coverage of the frame is due to the fact that the frame includes agricultural holdings that are on the list of holdings but have in fact either ceased their activities, merged with another holding or are no longer above the threshold. Over-coverage of the frame is identified during data collection and processing. These holdings are then removed from the list of agricultural holdings and excluded from the survey results. Over-coverage of the frame is also caused by the inclusion of holdings with unknown status in the frame (and in the completely enumerated stratum in the sample) to avoid under-coverage, assuming that the status will be revealed during data collection and processing.
Under-coverage of the frame is due to the fact that the frame includes agricultural holdings that are above the threshold but are not on the list of agricultural holdings. Under-coverage of the frame is minimised by updating the statistical register of agricultural holdings on which the frame is based with all known data sources, in addition to ARIB’s registers and the organic farming register. More than 99% of agricultural holdings are included in the ARIB’s registers and the organic farming register, with the remainder coming from previous year's annual reports and other sources. As all farm animals are registered in the ARIB registers, only holdings with intensive crops (vegetables and strawberries, berries, flowers, etc.) and tree nurseries on small areas of land are added. Therefore, there is no significant under-coverage of the frame.
Under- and over-coverage do not affect the quality of the survey.
Over-coverage of the frame is due to the fact that the frame includes agricultural holdings that are on the list of holdings but have in fact either ceased their activities, merged with another holding or are no longer above the threshold. Over-coverage of the frame is identified during data collection and processing. These holdings are then removed from the list of agricultural holdings and excluded from the survey results. Over-coverage of the frame is also caused by the inclusion of holdings with unknown status in the frame (and in the completely enumerated stratum in the sample) to avoid under-coverage, assuming that the status will be revealed during data collection and processing.
Under-coverage of the frame is due to the fact that the frame includes agricultural holdings that are above the threshold but are not on the list of agricultural holdings. Under-coverage of the frame is minimised by updating the statistical register of agricultural holdings on which the frame is based with all known data sources, in addition to ARIB’s registers and the organic farming register. More than 99% of agricultural holdings are included in the ARIB’s registers and the organic farming register, with the remainder coming from previous year's annual reports and other sources. As all farm animals are registered in the ARIB registers, only holdings with intensive crops (vegetables and strawberries, berries, flowers, etc.) and tree nurseries on small areas of land are added. Therefore, there is no significant under-coverage of the frame.
Under- and over-coverage do not affect the quality of the survey.
Over-coverage - rate (S.13.3.3.1)
The over-coverage rate is calculated as the share of units that were in the sample before the start of data collection and that were found to be below the threshold during data collection and processing.
The over-coverage rate was 4.5% (2023 data).
Units not meeting the threshold are excluded from the survey results.
The over-coverage rate was 4.5% (2023 data).
Units not meeting the threshold are excluded from the survey results.
Measurement error (S.13.3.2)
Measurement errors are avoided through multi-stage control procedures.
There is no information on major measurement errors. The questionnaires were carefully designed, were in electronic format, included a number of arithmetical and logical checks and, where possible, were prefilled with administrative data. Most of the information was collected by trained interviewers.
There is no information on major measurement errors. The questionnaires were carefully designed, were in electronic format, included a number of arithmetical and logical checks and, where possible, were prefilled with administrative data. Most of the information was collected by trained interviewers.
Non response error (S.13.3.3)
Non-response errors are small and do not significantly affect the quality of the results. The data for non-respondent units are imputed or they are taken into account by re-weighting the expansion factor.
Unit non-response - rate for U (S.13.3.3.1a)
The unit non-response rate is the share of non-responding units among the total number of units above the threshold in the sample. Unit non-response rate was 3.9% (2023 data).
Item non-response - rate for U (S.13.3.3.2a)
Not applied
Processing error (S.13.3.4)
Multiple arithmetic and logical checks and extensive prefilling with administrative data make it virtually impossible to have processing errors in the data. Data on land use and livestock for units in the completely enumerated stratum are imputed from administrative registers. The remaining missing data are imputed from the previous period’s data of the same unit or from the data of another similar unit.
Model assumption error (S.13.3.5)
Not applicable
Timeliness and punctuality
Timeliness (S.14.1)
The core structural data of the 2020 Agricultural Census were published in January 2021 (T + 26 days) and all data in May 2021 (T + 137 days). The data were confirmed as final once they had been accepted by Eurostat.
The preliminary summaries of all data from the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were published in February 2024 (T + 43 days). The data are confirmed as final in the course of 2024, once they have been accepted by Eurostat.
The preliminary summaries of all data from the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were published in February 2024 (T + 43 days). The data are confirmed as final in the course of 2024, once they have been accepted by Eurostat.
Time lag - first results for P (S.14.1.1)
The preliminary results of the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were published on 13 February 2024, approximately 1.5 months after the end of the reference year.
Time lag - final results for U (S.14.1.2a)
The core structural data of the 2020 Agricultural Census were published in January 2021 (T + 26 days) and all data in May 2021 (T + 137 days). The data were confirmed as final once they had been accepted by Eurostat.
All the results of the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were published on 13 February 2024, approximately 1.5 months after the end of the reference year (T + 43 days). The results are confirmed as final in the course of 2024, once they have been accepted by Eurostat.
All the results of the 2023 Farm Structure Survey were published on 13 February 2024, approximately 1.5 months after the end of the reference year (T + 43 days). The results are confirmed as final in the course of 2024, once they have been accepted by Eurostat.
Punctuality (S.14.2)
The data are published at the time announced in the release calendar.
Punctuality - delivery and publication for U (S.14.2.1a)
Since 2001, when the survey was first carried out, the data have always been published at the time announced in the release calendar. 100% of the data has been published on time.
Coherence and comparability
Comparability - geographical (S.15.1)
At the national level, the data are comparable across counties.
In general, the data are comparable with the data of other European Union countries because a harmonised methodology is used. Countries have to include in their Farm Structure Surveys all units above the agreed threshold for agricultural holdings, but the threshold may be adjusted, if necessary, to ensure the required coverage. For sample-based Farm Structure Surveys, the agreed threshold for agricultural holdings is not lowered. Variables and their definitions are harmonised among countries.
In general, the data are comparable with the data of other European Union countries because a harmonised methodology is used. Countries have to include in their Farm Structure Surveys all units above the agreed threshold for agricultural holdings, but the threshold may be adjusted, if necessary, to ensure the required coverage. For sample-based Farm Structure Surveys, the agreed threshold for agricultural holdings is not lowered. Variables and their definitions are harmonised among countries.
Comparability - over time (S.15.2)
From 2020, a new threshold for agricultural holdings is used in the Farm Structure Survey across the European Union, making the data not directly comparable with data from previous years. Until 2020, agricultural holdings were defined as units with at least 1 ha of utilised agricultural area or units producing agricultural products mainly for sale. Data up to 2016 are available in the statistical database at https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat under Discontinued datasets / Economy. Archive / Agriculture. Archive.
The data from the 2023 Farm Structure Survey are directly comparable with the data from the 2020 Agricultural Census. Since 2023, data on grapes are included in the threshold. To enable comparability with previous years, the data for 2010 have been recalculated, where possible, according to the new threshold for agricultural holdings.
The data from the 2023 Farm Structure Survey are directly comparable with the data from the 2020 Agricultural Census. Since 2023, data on grapes are included in the threshold. To enable comparability with previous years, the data for 2010 have been recalculated, where possible, according to the new threshold for agricultural holdings.
Length of comparable time series for U (S.15.2.1a)
The lengths of the comparable time series are 2001–2016 and 2020–2023.
Coherence - cross domain (S.15.3)
The Farm Structure Survey data are comparable with the data of agricultural censuses conducted every ten years because the same methodology is used. Unlike agricultural production statistics and economic accounts, the agricultural censuses and sample surveys on farm structure do not include units smaller than agricultural holdings. However, the Farm Structure Survey data are closely linked to other agricultural statistics and are comparable in terms of agricultural holdings. Cross-sectoral coherence is ensured by using the same indicators from various sources. In the years when the Farm Structure Survey is conducted, these data serve as input for crop production statistics.
For the Farm Structure Survey and agricultural census, data from the Agricultural Registers and Information Board (ARIB) are used as input for sown area and number of livestock. The input for organic farming data is the data from the organic farming register of the Agriculture and Food Board.
The methodology of the labour force survey within the Farm Structure Surveys differs from the general Labour Force Survey methodology.
For the Farm Structure Survey and agricultural census, data from the Agricultural Registers and Information Board (ARIB) are used as input for sown area and number of livestock. The input for organic farming data is the data from the organic farming register of the Agriculture and Food Board.
The methodology of the labour force survey within the Farm Structure Surveys differs from the general Labour Force Survey methodology.
Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics (S.15.3.1)
Not applicable
Coherence - National Accounts (S.15.3.2)
Not applicable because integrated statistics on agricultural holdings (Farm Structure Survey, Agricultural Census) are not directly usable in national accounts.
Coherence - internal (S.15.4)
The data are internally coherent, i.e. all the data in the unit are consistent with each other. The internal coherence of the data is ensured through the use of a common methodology for data collection and aggregation.
Cost and burden
In order to reduce costs, all holdings can submit their data electronically since 2010. In order to reduce burden, administrative data are used as much as possible and output generation is automated.
Total time of filling in reports of the statistical activity for 2023 was 2,961 hours.
Costs are not calculated separately for different statistical activities.
Total time of filling in reports of the statistical activity for 2023 was 2,961 hours.
Costs are not calculated separately for different statistical activities.
Data revision
Data revision - policy (S.17.1)
The data revision policy and notification of corrections are described on Statistics Estonia's website in the section Principles of dissemination of official statistics.
Data revision - practice (S.17.2)
The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.
Data revision - average size for U (S.17.2.1a)
Not applied
Statistical processing
Source data (S.18.1)
This is a multisource process. Some of the data are collected directly from administrative registers, while some are collected with a survey questionnaire. Data for the 2020 Agricultural Census, including data on animal housing and manure management, have been collected using the agricultural census questionnaire.
In the 2023 survey, the preliminary total number of units in the population was 10,914 (final extended 10,712), with a sample size of 4,933 (final 4,578).
Stratification variables for the sample include standard output (SO) groups, type of farming, and production method (conventional or organic farming). The sample includes all economically large and special units with a) SO>=100,000 euros or b) type of farming 2 or 3 and SO>=25,000 euros or c) type of farming 5 and SO>=4,000 euros or d) type of farming 9, and new holdings. In total, there are 19 sample strata, 3 of them completely enumerated. From the non-completely enumerated strata, 20–60% of the units are sampled, depending on economic size, type of farming and size of the stratum.
The following administrative data are used to prefill questionnaires:
data on land use from ARIB;
numbers of farm animals from ARIB;
labour force data from the employment register (the number of male and female persons employed, by working time groups);
data on land use of agricultural holdings from the Land and Spatial Development Board;
data on machinery from the traffic register of the Transport Administration;
data on the use of equipment for the production of renewable energy from Elering who is the electricity and gas transmission system operator in Estonia.
The following data are collected directly from administrative sources:
data on ARIB rural development subsidies;
data on ecological focus areas from ARIB;
data on crop and livestock farming from the register of organic farming of the Agriculture and Food Board;
data on enterprise groups from the business register for statistical purposes.
Administrative data are transmitted by email.
INSPIRE codes for the location of holdings are determined according to Eurostat rules on the basis of available data from ARIB and other sources.
In the 2023 survey, the preliminary total number of units in the population was 10,914 (final extended 10,712), with a sample size of 4,933 (final 4,578).
Stratification variables for the sample include standard output (SO) groups, type of farming, and production method (conventional or organic farming). The sample includes all economically large and special units with a) SO>=100,000 euros or b) type of farming 2 or 3 and SO>=25,000 euros or c) type of farming 5 and SO>=4,000 euros or d) type of farming 9, and new holdings. In total, there are 19 sample strata, 3 of them completely enumerated. From the non-completely enumerated strata, 20–60% of the units are sampled, depending on economic size, type of farming and size of the stratum.
The following administrative data are used to prefill questionnaires:
data on land use from ARIB;
numbers of farm animals from ARIB;
labour force data from the employment register (the number of male and female persons employed, by working time groups);
data on land use of agricultural holdings from the Land and Spatial Development Board;
data on machinery from the traffic register of the Transport Administration;
data on the use of equipment for the production of renewable energy from Elering who is the electricity and gas transmission system operator in Estonia.
The following data are collected directly from administrative sources:
data on ARIB rural development subsidies;
data on ecological focus areas from ARIB;
data on crop and livestock farming from the register of organic farming of the Agriculture and Food Board;
data on enterprise groups from the business register for statistical purposes.
Administrative data are transmitted by email.
INSPIRE codes for the location of holdings are determined according to Eurostat rules on the basis of available data from ARIB and other sources.
Frequency of data collection (S.18.2)
Data are collected over three or four years.
Data collection (S.18.3)
For the Farm Structure Surveys, questionnaire 1425 Farm Structure Survey is used. For the 2020 Agricultural Census, questionnaire 1483 Agricultural Census 2020 was used. The questionnaires and information about data submission are available on Statistics Estonia's website in the section Questionnaires.
The informational text of the 2023 Farm Structure Survey is available here: Farm Structure Survey 2023.
The informational text of the 2020 Agricultural Census is available here.
The questionnaires were prefilled with administrative data (see "Source data"). Data were collected through the web channel for electronic data submission (CAWI) and by phone interviews (CATI). From the agricultural holdings who did not submit their data on the web, the data were collected by phone interviews during a specified period (21.09–15.11.2023). The telephone interviews were carried out by trained interviewers.
The questionnaire included hard and soft controls. For the soft controls, respondents were also asked to provide an explanation.
Administrative data were transmitted by email.
Data collected through questionnaires and administrative data were checked following Eurostat's validation rules. In the process, the consistency of all data from the units was ensured.
The informational text of the 2023 Farm Structure Survey is available here: Farm Structure Survey 2023.
The informational text of the 2020 Agricultural Census is available here.
The questionnaires were prefilled with administrative data (see "Source data"). Data were collected through the web channel for electronic data submission (CAWI) and by phone interviews (CATI). From the agricultural holdings who did not submit their data on the web, the data were collected by phone interviews during a specified period (21.09–15.11.2023). The telephone interviews were carried out by trained interviewers.
The questionnaire included hard and soft controls. For the soft controls, respondents were also asked to provide an explanation.
Administrative data were transmitted by email.
Data collected through questionnaires and administrative data were checked following Eurostat's validation rules. In the process, the consistency of all data from the units was ensured.
Data validation (S.18.4)
Arithmetic and qualitative checks are used in the validation process, including comparison with the data of previous periods or other surveys and with administrative data sources.
Data compilation (S.18.5)
A weight is calculated for a statistical unit, which is used to expand the data of the sample survey to the total population. The data of the sampled agricultural holdings are expanded to the population separately in each stratum. The expansion factor is the ratio of the population of the respective stratum to the number of responded units. In the case of missing or unreliable data, estimate imputation based on established regulations is used. Data on land use and livestock for units in the completely enumerated stratum are imputed from administrative registers. The remaining missing data are imputed from the previous period’s data of the same unit or from the data of another similar unit. The imputation rate is minimal and does not affect the quality of the survey results.
Data collected through questionnaires and administrative data are checked and linked following Eurostat's validation rules. In the process, the consistency of all data from the units is ensured.
Variables which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. This may be done repeatedly; the derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.
Microdata are aggregated to the level necessary for analysis. This includes summation of data according to the classification and calculation of various statistical measures, e.g. mean. The collected data are converted into statistical output. This includes the calculation of additional indicators.
Data collected through questionnaires and administrative data are checked and linked following Eurostat's validation rules. In the process, the consistency of all data from the units is ensured.
Variables which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. This may be done repeatedly; the derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.
Microdata are aggregated to the level necessary for analysis. This includes summation of data according to the classification and calculation of various statistical measures, e.g. mean. The collected data are converted into statistical output. This includes the calculation of additional indicators.
Imputation - rate (S.18.5.1)
The imputation rate is the ratio of non-responded and imputed units in the completely enumerated stratum to the number of units in the sample that are above the threshold. The imputation rate was 1.1% (2023 data).
Adjustment (S.18.6)
Not applicable
Seasonal adjustment (S.18.6.1)
Not applicable
Comment
The survey is co-financed by the European Commission.