The Farm Structure Survey begins in September
The Farm Structure Survey 2026 is conducted by Statistics Estonia from 1 September until 30 November. The survey provides a comprehensive overview of agriculture in Estonia. These data are required for developing agricultural policies. Agricultural holdings who are in the sample but have not answered online by 23 September will be contacted by Statistics Estonia’s interviewers by phone between 24 September and 30 November.
Eve Valdvee, the Agricultural and Technology Statistics Service Manager at Statistics Estonia, said that farm structure surveys offer a more complete picture of agriculture, including the trends in activities and the areas in need of funding. “Active participation in the survey is in the best interest of the agricultural sector – it ensures that the following data analysis and decision-making can be as accurate and relevant as possible,” emphasised Valdvee.
Up to 4,000 enterprises and individuals will be surveyed. The sample list is based on register information (Agricultural Registers and Information Board, organic farming register, etc.) and other available sources. Participation in the Farm Structure Survey is compulsory for holdings who own or manage agricultural land or agricultural livestock.
The survey is carried out across Europe
Farm structure surveys are conducted in all European Union (EU) Member States at the agreed times and using a common methodology. The survey is carried out as an agricultural census once every ten years and as a sample survey every three or four years. The 2026 survey is a sample survey.
Statistics Estonia publishes agricultural production statistics every year, based on register data and smaller agricultural surveys. However, the EU-wide harmonised farm structure surveys provide a better overview of the agricultural sector. In the years of the agricultural census, the survey is conducted in EU countries as well as in most other countries of the world.
Registers are also used for information
Data on organic farming and subsidies are received directly from registers and linked with survey data in the analysis phase. Registers are also used for information about land use, number of livestock, animal housing and manure management, as well as about labour force, for example. The questionnaire is prefilled with available information, and respondents are only asked to provide the missing data. The 2026 survey covers land use, livestock farming and management information; there are also modules on animal housing and manure management, and on labour force and other gainful activities.
The Farm Structure Survey questionnaire can be accessed from 1 September in the self-service environment (under personal surveys). More information about the survey is available on Statistics Estonia’s website. The survey results will be published in the first half of 2027.
See also the agriculture section on our website and the agricultural statistics published in the statistical database.
When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.
For further information:
Annaliisa Köss
Media Relations Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 5696 6484
press [at] stat.ee