Milk and milk products (apro_mk)

Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

Compiling agency: Eurostat (Statistical office of the European Union)


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Statistical presentation
3. Statistical processing
4. Quality management
5. Relevance
6. Accuracy and reliability
7. Timeliness and punctuality
8. Coherence and comparability
9. Accessibility and clarity
10. Cost and Burden
11. Confidentiality
12. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
National quality report



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

Eurostat (Statistical office of the European Union)
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Unit E.1: Agriculture and fisheries
1.5. Contact mail address

European Commission, Eurostat L-2920 Luxembourg


2. Statistical presentation Top

Table 2.0.1: Changes in the methodological information since last year’s questionnaire

  Question: Changes in the methodological information since last year’s questionnaire?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 6 22.22% HR, LT, LU, HU, SI, SK -
No 21 77.78% BE, BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, CY, LV, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, RO, FI, SE CH, IS, AL, ME, RS, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - NO, BA, MK, XK
2.1. Data description

Milk and milk product statistics are collected under Decision 97/80/EC implementing Directive 96/16/EC. They cover milk collected (cow's milk) and products obtained by dairies (monthly, table A), annual production and utilization of milk (all milk) in dairies (annual, tables B and H), statistics on the structure of dairies (every third year, tables D, E, F, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5) and annual production and utilization of milk (all milk) on farms (tables C and I). An annual methodological report is also collected.

European Economic Area countries (EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are requested to provide milk statistics, with the exception of those related to home consumption, as stated in Annex XXI of the EEA Agreement. Liechtenstein is nevertheless exempted from providing these statistics.

The Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the field of statistics states that Switzerland must provide Eurostat with national milk statistics.

The same statistics are requested from the candidate and potential candidate countries as acquis communautaire.

For the countries ME, MK, XK, NO and BA the information displayed in this EU quality report is the information available from previous years.
2.2. Classification system

The list of items and their definitions are laid down in the Decision 97/80/EC : Annex I list of milk products and explanatory notes, Annex II list of tables and explanatory notes.

Regional data: The territorial classification of regional data is broken down according to the NUTS classification for Member States.
2.3. Coverage - sector

Statistics on farm production and utilisation of milk on farms cover the agricultural holdings producing milk in Member States.

Milk statistics from dairy enterprises cover the EU plants whose activity is milk collection and milk product production. The sample surveys must cover exhaustively dairies representing 95 % of the cows’ milk collected by Member States, the balance being represented by sampling or other sources.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

Milk statistics (annual) in dairy enterprises are led by the concept of ‘national dairy’, i.e. the dairy sector is considered as a single process, which internal flows are not (intended to be) taken into account.

Use of raw milk is followed through production of its two main components, fat and protein content. Milk processed is thus accounted for as an aggregate of UWM (utilised whole milk, with the full of fat and protein content) and USM (utilised skimmed milk, with the full protein content but without fat). A process can produce skimmed milk further to the main (fat) product and, in such a case, USM can be negative. This is especially the case for cream and butter production.

 

Reference year: 2022 

TABLES B and H (Dairy annual data)

Further information (Referring to the part 3 of the milk questionnaire)

 

Part A) AVAILABLE RESOURCES 

A.1 Imports of milk, cream and other milk products

Table 2.4.1.1: A.1 Imports of milk, cream and other products

Question: Are there purchases of raw milk by diaries from approved purchasers located in another country?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 17 62.96% BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, ES, HR, IT, LV, LT, LU, HU, NL, AT, RO, SI CH, BA, ME, RS 
No 10 37.04% DK, EL, FR, CY, MT, PL, PT, SK, FI, SE IS, NO, AL, TR
No answer  0 0.00% - MK, XK

 

Question: If Yes, are these purchases entered on the accounts with imports? (Table B, column B)?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 17 62.96% BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, ES, HR, IT, LV, LT, LU, HU, NL, AT, RO, SI CH, BA, ME, RS
No 1 3.70% MT IS
No answer 9 33.33% DK, EL, FR, CY, MT, PL, PT, SK, FI, SE NO, AL, MK, TR, XK

 

Question: How do you deal with deliveries of intermediate products from a plant in one country to another plant in a different country but belonging to the same enterprise?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
They are included in the external trade data  10 33% DK, EE, IE, ES, FR, HR, LU,SI, SE NO, RS
They are included in enterprises’ deliveries  8 27% BG, IT, LV, AT, PL, RO ME
Other, specify 7 23% BE, CZ, DE, CY, LT, NL, FI IS, AL 
Not applicable 1 4% HU -         
No answer  4 13% EL, MT, PT, SK CH, BA, MK, TR, XK

 

Part B) USE (manufactured products)

Table 2.4.2.1: B.1 Main products (column 1 in the table B)

Question: Are there any links between the milk statistics surveys and the Prodcom surveys? (Council Regulation EEC N° 3924/94 of 19 December 1991 on the establishment of a Community survey of industrial production OJ L374, 31.12.1991, p.1.)?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 9 33.33% BG, EE, IE, FR, LT, PT, RO, SK, FI RS
No 18 66.67% BE, CZ, DK, DE, EL, ES, HR, IT, CY, LV, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, SI, SE CH, IS, NO, BA, ME, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - AL, MK, XK

 

Question: If Yes, are both surveys managed by the same body?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List  List
Yes 6 22.22% BG, EE, IE, FR, PT, RO RS
No 4 14.81% BE, LT, SK, FI -
No answer  17 62.96% CZ, DK, DE, EL, ES, HR, IT, CY, LV, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, SI, SE CH, IS, NO, AL, BA, MK, ME, TR, XK

 

Table 2.4.2.3: B.2 Double counting

B.2.1 In dairies

Question: To avoid double counting, on which variables does the survey focus?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number  MSs Percentage MS List List
on products received, before processing (RECEIPT of products) 12 8 29.63% BE, BG, DK, FR, IT, CY, MT, AT, RO, SK, SE CH, IS, TR
on processed products (DELIVERY of production) 19 15 55.56% CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, HR, IT, LV, LT, LU, HU, NL, PL, PT, RO, SI, FI, SE AL, BA, ME, RS
On products received, before processing (RECEIPT of products) + On processed products (DELIVERY of production) 4

4

14.81%

 ES, IT, RO, SE -
Other (Based on use of register.)  - -    - -
No answer 0 27 100.00% - NO, MK, XK

 

B.2.2 Cheese – processed cheese

Question: Do you conduct a specific survey covering the raw materials used to make processed cheese? (cheese, butter, cream, other milk products)?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 6 22.22% BE, DK, DE, AT, RO, SK  
No 21 77.78% BG, CZ, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, SI, FI, SE CH, IS, NO, AL, MK, ME, RS 
No answer 0 0.00% - BA, TR, XK

 

Question: Are these raw materials deducted from or included in the data in column 1 of Table B?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Deducted 11 40.74% BE, BG, DE, ES, LV, LT, HU, AT, PT, SI, SK AL, BA, RS
Included 11 40.74% CZ, EE, FR, HR, IT, MT, NL, PL, RO, FI, SE NO, ME, TR
No answer 5 18.52% DK, IE, EL, CY, LU CH, IS, MK, TR, XK

 

Table 2.4.2.5: B.4 Calculation of fat inputs  

Question: How are the fat inputs in Table B calculated?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
as INPUT (i.e. on the basis of the raw materials used in manufacturing) 6 22.22% CZ, NL, AT, PL, RO, FI AL, ME
as OUTPUT (i.e. on the basis of the finished product) 14 51.85% BE, DE, EE, EL, ES, FR, HR, LV, LU, HU, MT, PT, SI, SK CH, IS, RS
as INPUT and as OUTPUT 7 25.93% BG, DK, IE, IT, CY, LT, SE NO, BA, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

 

Table 2.4.2.7: B.5 Proteins (Table H) - What is your method of measuring or estimating proteins?

Question: What is your method of measuring or estimating proteins?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
as INPUT (i.e. on the basis of the raw materials used in manufacturing) 8 29.63% CZ, DK, LT, NL, AT, PT, FI, SE NO, AL, ME
as OUTPUT (i.e. on the basis of the finished product) 14 51.85% BE, DE, EE, EL, ES, FR, HR, CY, LV, LU, HU, MT, RO, SI CH, IS, RS
as INPUT (i.e. on the basis of the raw materials used in manufacturing) + as OUTPUT (i.e. on the basis of the finished product) 5 18.52% BG, IE, IT, PL, SK BA, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

  

TABLE C (Farms annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

B) Agricultural holdings (farms)

Table 2.4.3.1: B.6 Cows' milk

Question: Excluding milk directly suckled by calves, is all the milk from milking (including colostrum) that is used as animal feed (in buckets or by other means) included in the sum of available milk?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 24 88.89% BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, FI, SE NO, AL, BA, ME, RS
No 3 11.11% BE, CZ, DK CH, IS
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, TR, XK

 

Regional data

Region means a sub-division of a Member State territory. 'Region' refers to NUTS 2 for milk production (farms), the NUTS reference being the version applicable on the date of data transmission.
2.5. Statistical unit

Dairy enterprises are undertakings of two types:

• Collection centres collect milk or cream and transfer it in whole or in part to other enterprises without any processing. They are often defined as referred to in Article 2(2) of Council Directive 96/16/EC.

• Dairy enterprises and agricultural holdings purchasing milk or milk products from agricultural holdings or collection centres with a view to transforming them into milk products. They are often defined as referred to in Article 2(1) of Council Directive 96/16/EC.

Some enterprises process milk products obtained from a dairy as defined above, e.g. skimmed milk into milk powder or yogurt, and may appear to be excluded from the definition of dairy enterprises. Nevertheless, non-packed intermediate products are considered as raw dairy materials and such dairies are therefore covered as statistical units for the purpose of some statistics, whatever the enterprise supplying them.

 Agricultural holdings are the statistical units for milk production and its use on farms as in Article 2(a) of Regulation (EC) N°1166/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
2.6. Statistical population

The statistical population is the framework of the statistical units in the reference Member State or country for the reference period. All agricultural holdings producing milk and all dairy enterprises in the Member State are included.

Nevertheless, data collection may be organised in a different way by a respondent other than the statistical unit. For instance, milk delivered by farms to dairies (table C) is accounted for by both units, and can be obtained more easily from dairy enterprises, of which there are fewer.
2.7. Reference area

The entire territory of the country. The reference area is the territory of the Member States as defined by Decision 91/450/EEC[1]. For non-EU countries, territory follows the definition agreed bi-laterally with Eurostat.

 

[1] Commission Decision of 26 July 1991 defining the territory of Member States for the purposes of implementing Article 1 of Council Directive 89/130/EEC, Euratom on the harmonization of the compilation of gross national product at market prices. OJ L 240, 29.8.1991, pp. 36-40.
2.8. Coverage - Time

Data are presented in chronological series for each country and for the EU. The period covered varies according to the country, depending on the date of accession to the EU. They are available at least for the EU Member States, depending on the date they became members of the EEC or EU, from legislation to repeal of the legal text and insofar as Member States comply with legislation.

Milk statistics are available, at least partly, since reference years 1960 for the countries that were Member States at that time.

Further time periods may be available if collected on a volunteer basis, especially, data collected under a gentlemen’s agreement, data collected for accessing and acceding countries, and data collected under other specific agreements.
2.9. Base period

Not applicable.


3. Statistical processing Top
3.1. Source data

Reference year: 2022

TABLE A (Dairy monthly data), TABLES B and H (Dairy annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

A) From Dairies

A.1 General characteristics 

Table 3.1.1: A.1 General characteristics (Results by country)

Questions Number of dairy companies present on the 1 January 2022 (excluding centres or companies which only collect)  Number of collection centres or companies (as defined in Article 2 (2) of Directive 96/16/EC)
Countries
BE 117 12
BG 246 85
CZ 40 26
DK 24 24
DE 139 61
EE 28 19
IE 32 0
EL 929 0
ES 1 169 107
FR 612 68
HR 47 0
IT 1 940 101
CY 100 5
LV 24 36
LT 22 46
LU 4 1
HU 47 15
MT 1 1
NL 43 9
AT 70 5
PL 140 177
PT 319 24
RO 316 Not available
SI 7 70
SK 29 17
FI 34 0
SE 26 41
TOTAL EU27 6 505 950

 

Questions Number of dairy companies present on the 1 January 2022 (excluding centres or companies which only collect)  Number of collection centres or companies (as defined in Article 2 (2) of Directive 96/16/EC)
Countries
CH 656 47
IS 3 3
NO 3 None
LI - - 
AL 454 10
BA 34 105
MK Not available Not available
ME 25 0
RS 162 14
TR 2 091 1 485
XK Not available Not available
Total other countries
 3 428 1 680

 

A.2 Origin of the listing (of survey units) used for monthly and annual surveys (Tables A and B)

Table 3.1.2.1: A.2 Origin of the listing (of survey units) used for monthly and annual surveys (Tables A and B)

Question: What is the origin of the listing used?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Extract from the national business register 1 3.70% FR  IS
Listing compiled for milk surveys 6 22.22% DE, EL, LU, NL, AT, SE CH, TR
Listing belonging to professional bodies 0 0.00% - -
Listing used for other surveys 0 0.00% - -
Other 3 11.11% DK, CY, MT NO
Listing compiled for milk surveys + Listing belonging to professional bodies + Other 1 3.70% BE -
Extract from the national business register + Listing compiled for milk surveys  2 7.41% CZ, RO -
Listing belonging to professional bodies + Other 3 11.11% EE, HR, FI - 
Listing compiled for milk surveys + Other 3 11.11% BG, IE, ES  
Extract from the national business register + Other 2 7.41% LV, PL ME, RS
Listing used for other surveys + Other 1 3.70% LT -
Extract from the national business register + Listing used for other surveys + Other 1 3.70% HU - 
Extract from the national business register + Listing belonging to professional bodies + Listing used for other surveys + Other 1 3.70% PT - 
Extract from the national business register + Listing belonging to professional bodies + Other 1 3.70% SI -
Listing compiled for milk surveys + Listing belonging to professional bodies 1 3.70% SK -
Extract from the national business register + Listing compiled for milk surveys + Other 1 3.70% IT  
Extract from the national business register + Listing belonging to professional bodies 0 0.00% - AL, BA
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

 

A.3 How often is the listing updated? (Tables A and B)

Table 3.1.2.3: A.3 How often is the listing updated? (Tables A and B) (EU Member States)

Question: Do you update the listing used?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Continuous 12 48.15% BE, DK, DE, EE, IE, EL, HR, CY, LT, LU, HU, SK -
Monthly 3 11.11% BG, MT, SE CH,NO,ME,RS,TR
Quarterly 1 3.70% PT -           
Annual 8 22.22% CZ, ES, IT, LV, NL, AT, PL, FI IS, BA
Once every 3 years 0 0.00% -  - 
Multi-annual 2 7.41% FR, SI - 
Monthly + Annual 1 3.70% RO AL
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

 

A.4 Monthly questionnaires (Dairies: Table A)

Table 3.1.2.5: Number of survey units concerned and Proportion of statistical population surveyed by this sample (%) (Results by country)

 

Question Number of survey units concerned Proportion of statistical population surveyed by this sample (%)
Countries
BE 129 100
BG 249 100
CZ 66 100
DK 24 100
DE 235 100
EE 47 100
IE 32 100
EL 245 100
ES 126 27.69
FR 421 95
HR round 3000 100
IT We replaced the monthly survey with estimates based on a statistical model.
Since January 2020, ISTAT does not carry out anymore the monthly survey on milk production. On the basis of past monthly time series available, data from January 2020 onward are estimated using exponential smoothing algorithms.
Exponential smoothing is a well known technique for smoothing time series data using the exponential window function and the moving average approach. Exponential functions are used to assign to past data exponentially decreasing weights over time and the technique requires prior assumptions as rearwards seasonality.
At the end of each year, when 12 monthly estimates have been produced, ISTAT uses the annual survey on milk production for updating the past 12 estimates. As a matter of fact, according to this strategy the 12 monthly data obtained using exponential smoothing are “provisional” estimates which will be corrected using the yearly survey data.		 Not available
CY 35 100
LV 60 100
LT 68 100
LU 5 100
HU 57 100
MT 1 100
NL 43 98
AT 76 100
PL 340 100
PT 144 100
RO 327 100
SI 7 100
SK 46 No sampling survey
FI 34 100
SE 20 99
EU total
 5 837

97.50

 

Question Number of survey units concerned Proportion of statistical population surveyed by this sample (%)
Countries
CH 656 100
IS 3 100
NO

Register data from Norwegian Agricultural Agency

 100
LI -  - 
AL 120 50
BA 34 100
MK 45 1
ME 28 100
RS 162 100
TR 2 091 100
XK Not available Not available
Other countries
 3 139 96.7

 

Table 3.1.2.6: Do you use supplementary sources of information?

Question: Do you use supplementary sources of information? 

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 9 33.33% BE, EE, IE, EL, HR, IT, CY, LV, SI ME, RS
No 18 66.67% BG, CZ, DK, DE, ES, FR, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, RO, SK, FI, SE CH, IS, NO, AL, BA, TR 
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

 

 A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H)

 Table 3.1.2.8: Do you use supplementary sources of information?

 Question: Do you use supplementary sources of information?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 13 48.15% DE, EE, IE, EL, FR, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, MT, SI, FI AL, ME, RS
No 14 51.85% BE, BG, CZ, DK, ES, LU, HU, NL, AT, PL, PT, RO, SK, SE CH, IS, NO, BA, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

  

TABLES B and H (Dairy annual data)

Further information (Referring to the part 3 of the milk questionnaire)

 

Part A) AVAILABLE RESOURCES  

Table 3.1.3.1: A.1 Imports of milk, cream and other milk products

Question: Do you use the data obtained directly from dairies to record cross-border trade?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 17 63.00% BE, BG, CZ, DK, DE, IE, EL, ES, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, NL, AT, PT, RO CH, BA, ME
No 10 37.00% EE, FR, IT, HU, MT, PL, SI, SK, FI, SE IS, NO, AL, RS, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

 If Yes:

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
From the monthly questionnaire 8

29.63%

 BE, CZ, DK, DE, IE, EL, LU, AT CH
From the monthly questionnaire and from other sources 2 7.41% LT, RO -
Other sources 7 25.93% BG, ES, HR, CY, LV, NL, PT BA, ME
Annual Questionnaire 0 0.00% -            
No answer 10 37.04% EE, FR, IT, HU, MT, PL, SI, SK, FI, SE IS, NO, AL, MK, RS, TR, XK

 

Table 3.1.3.3: Do you use the data from external trade statistics?

Question: Do you use the data from external trade statistics?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 11 40.74% BG, EE, IE, FR, IT, LV, MT, NL, SI, FI, SE NO, AL, RS
No 16 59.26% BE, CZ, DK, DE, EL, ES, HR, CY, LT, LU, HU, AT, PL, PT, RO, SK CH, IS, BA, ME, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - AL, MK, XK

 

Part B) USE (manufactured products)

B.4 Calculation of fat inputs

Table 3.1.3.5: Do you use data from dairies as a source of information?

Question: Do you use data from dairies as a source of information?


Answer		 EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 27 100.00% BE, BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, HR, IT, CY, LV, LT, LU, HU, MT, NL, AT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, FI, SE CH, IS, NO, AL, BA, ME, RS, TR
No 0 0.00% - -
Not available 0 0.00% - MK, XK

TABLES C and I (Farms annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

B) Agricultural holdings (Farms) 

Table 3.1.4.1: Number of agricultural holdings (farms) concerned on the 1 January 2022

Question Number of agricultural holdings (farms) concerned on the 1 January 2022
Countries
BE

8 430
BG 15 975
CZ 13 410
DK 2 431
DE 54 787 per 3. November 2021
EE 909
IE Not available
EL 49 573
ES

35145 farms

Information source: REGA (register of livestock farms).

Definition of agricultural holding does not correspond to definition in Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008, but to facilities, constructions, structures or places (in the case of open air breeding) where animals for production are kept (Real Decreto 479/2004, de 26 de marzo).

Numer of milk production oriented agricultural holdings (1 January 2022): 20 436 farms

Number of mixed production oriented agricultural holdings (1 January 2022): 14 709 farms
FR 70 897
HR round 22 000
IT From the National Database there are 282 759 agricultural holdings (population size). We replaced the annual survey of about 8 900 agricultural holdings (sample size) with estimates.
CY 2 391 (based on the latest available information from the FSS2016)
LV 10 063
LT 37 284 farms concerned on 1 June 2020 (from Agricultural Census 2020)
LU 608 farms with cow, sheep or goat milk production on 01/02/2022
HU 5 418
MT 87
NL 14 729
AT 26 226
PL 1 317 400 (FSS on 1 June 2020)
PT 12 508
Considering all the holdings with dairy livestock (cows, sheep, goats)
RO 49 649
SI Approximately 20 000 AH with cows (bovine register on 1.12.2022) + less than 1000 AH with dairy sheeps or goats
SK 2 976
FI 4 914 dairy farms
SE 2 882
EU total
 2 081 966

1: see ef table of number of farms with dairy cows ef_lsk_bovine

 

Question Number of agricultural holdings (farms) concerned on the 1 January 2022
Countries
CH 17 603
IS Not available
NO Data collection based on register data from Norwegian Agricultural Agency. 7 598 holdings with dairy cows.
LI  -
AL INSTAT during the year 2023, has transmitted to Eurostat for the first time regional data on production of cow's milk for the time series 2010 – 2022.
Data are obtained from the Ministry of Agruculture and Rural Development (administrative).
BA 9 732
MK Not available
ME 19 646
RS 225 794 (Agricultural Census 2018)
TR 1 288 824
XK Not available

 

 Table 3.1.4.2: B.1 Existence of a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm (Table C)

 Question: Is there a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 14 51.85% BE, BG, CZ, DE, HR, CY, LV, LT, HU, PL, RO, SI, SK, FI CH, BA, ME, RS
No 13 48.15% DK, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, LU, MT, NL, AT, PT, SE IS, NO, AL, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

 

B.4 In case of a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm, use of supplementary sources of information (Table C)

Question: Do you use supplementary sources of information?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 13 48.15% BE, CZ, DE, EE, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, HU, NL, SI, SK BA, RS
No 10 37.04% BG, DK, IE, IT, MT, PL, PT, RO, FI, SE IS, NO, AL, ME, TR
No answer 4 14.81% EL, ES, FR, AT CH, MK, XK

 

B.6 Regional data - Evaluation of regional production (Table I) 

Table 3.1.4.4: B.6 Regional data - Evaluation of regional production (Table I)

Question: Do data exist at source?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 14 51.85% BG, CZ, EL, HR, CY, LV, LT, HU, MT, PL, RO, SI, SK, FI CH, AL, TR
No 9 33.33% BE, DK, DE, ES, FR, IT, NL, AT, SE IS, ME, RS
No answer 4 14.81% EE, IE, LU, PT BA, MK, XK

 

Question: Are data calculated a postériori?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 15 55.56% BE, BG, CZ, DE, ES, FR, IT, LT, NL, AT, PT, RO, SI, FI, SE AL, ME, RS
No 7 25.93% DK, HR, CY, HU, MT, PL, SK IS, TR
No answer 5 18.52% EE, IE, EL, LV, LU CH, BA, MK, XK

 

 Table 3.1.4.6: If the data are calculated, which is the method used? (EU Member States)

 Question: If the data are calculated, which is the method used?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Survey of the structure of agricultural holdings (Commission Regulation (EC) No 143/2002) 2 7.41% DK, IE -
Cattle survey (Directive 93/24/EEC and Decision 94/433/EC) 2 7.41% RO, SE -
Survey of the structure of agricultural holdings (Commission Regulation (EC) No 143/2002)
Cattle survey (Directive 93/24/EEC and Decision 94/433/EC 		 1 3.70% NL - 
Cattle survey (Directive 93/24/EEC and Decision 94/433/EC)
Other 		 3 11.11% DE, ES, SI - 
Other 8 29.63% BG, CZ, FR, IT, LT, AT, PT, FI AL,ME, RS, TR
No answer 11 40.74% BE, EE, EL, HR, CY, LV, LU, HU, MT, PL, SK CH, IS, NO, BA, MK, XK
3.2. Frequency of data collection

The statistics on milk and milk products are collected:

  • monthly regarding cows' milk collection and products obtained (Table A),
  • annually regarding availabilities and uses in the dairy enterprises (Tables B and H) and in farms (Table C), and regional cows' milk production (Table I),
  • every three year regarding the structure of dairy enterprises (Tables D to G8).
3.3. Data collection

Reference year: 2022

General (Referring to the part 1 of the milk questionnaire)

Table 3.3.1.1: Does any other body play a part in compiling milk statistics?

Question: Does any other body play a part in compiling milk statistics? 

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 10 37.04% DK, DE, IE, EL, HR, CY, LT, MT, AT, SI CH, NO, AL, ME, RS
No 17 62.96% BE, BG, CZ, EE, ES, FR, IT, LV, LU, HU, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, FI, SE IS, BA, TR
No answer 0 0.00% - MK, XK

  

TABLE A (Dairy monthly data), TABLES B and H (Dairy annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

A) From Dairies  

 A.4 Monthly questionnaires (Dairies: Table A)

Table 3.3.2.1: A.4 Monthly questionnaires (Dairies: Table A)

Question: Survey method

    EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
By enumerators 4 7.02% BG, DE, EL, CY AL
By post 8 14.04% BE, DK, DE, IE, EL, LU, PT, SK CH, BA, ME,
By telephone 10 17.54% BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, CY, LV, PL, RO, BA
By e-mail 17 29.82% BG, CZ, DK, DE, IE, EL, ES, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, MT, RO, SI, SK, SE, CH, IS, NO, RS, TR,
Other  186 31.58% BE, BG, CZ, DK, DE, EE, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, NL, AT, PL, PT, RO, FI, ME

By web

 0 0%   MK, XK,
Not available 0 0%    

 A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H) 

Table 3.3.2.3: A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H) - Survey method

Question: Survey method

    EU Member States  Other countries
Answer Number Percentage List List
By enumerators 0 0.00%  - AL
By post 0 0.00%  - ME
By e-mail  2 7.41% MT, SE  
Other  6 22.22% FR, IT, HU, NL, AT, FI IS, NO, RS
By web 0 0.00%    
By post
By e-mail		 2 7.41% LU, SK BA
By post
Other		 2 7.41% BE, PT CH
By post
By web		 0 0.00%    
By telephone
By e-mail		 3 11.11% CZ, EE, SI - 
By telephone
Other		 1 3.70% PL TR
By e-mail
Other		 2 7.41% HR, LT  -
By post
By telephone
By e-mail		 1 3.70% IE - 
By post
By telephone
Other		 0 0.00%  - -
By post
By e-mail
Other		 2 7.41% DK, ES  -
By telephone
By e-mail
Other		 2 7.41% LV, RO  -
By e-mail
By enumerators
Other		 1 3.70% BG  -
By enumerators
By post
By telephone
By e-mail		 1 3.70% EL  -
By enumerators
By telephone
By e-mail		 1 3.70% CY  -
By enumerators
By post
By telephone
By e-mail
Other		 1 3.70% DE - 
Not available 0 0.00% -  MK, XK

TABLE C (Farms annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

 B) Agricultural holdings (Farms) 

 B.2 If there is a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm, detail procedures.

Table 3.3.3.1: B.2 If there is a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm 

Question: Survey method

Answer   EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
By enumerators 2 7.41% CY, RO ME
Other  6 22.22% BE, DK, EE, IT, HU, NL NO

By post

Other

 1 3.70% SK  
Not available 8 29.63% IE, EL, ES, FR, MT, AT, PT, SE IS, AL, MK, TR, XK
3.4. Data validation

The data are checked by Eurostat especially regarding their completeness, their internal coherence, and the changes compared to previous periods.
3.5. Data compilation

Reference year: 2022

TABLES B and H (Dairy annual data)

Further information (Referring to the part 3 of the milk questionnaire)

Part B) USE (manufactured products)

B.3 Calculation of whole/skimmed milk inputs

Table 3.5.1.1: How are the milk inputs in Table B calculated for the following products?

Question: How are the milk inputs in Table B calculated for the following products?

Answer

Milk product

 Direct survey Use of technical coefficients Direct survey  and
Use of technical coefficients		 No answer
11-12 liquid milk and buttermilk 11 Member States (41%): DK, IE, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, MT, AT, PL, SK
Other countries: CH, AL, BA, TR		 15 Member States (56%): BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, EL, ES, FR, IT, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI, SE
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI Other countries: IS, MK, XK
13 creams
14-15-16 other fresh products (acidified milks, milk-based drinks, jellied milks, etc.)		 10 Member States (37%): DK, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, MT, AT, PL, SK
Other countries: CH, AL, BA, TR		 16 Member States (59%): BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI, SE
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI Other countries: IS, NO, MK, XK
21 concentrated milk
22 powder products		 8 Member States (30%): DK, HR, LV, LT, LU, AT, PL, SK
Other countries: CH, BA, TR		 17 Member States (63%): BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, CY, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI, SE
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI 1 Member State (4%): MT
Other countries: IS, NO, MK, XK
23 Total butter and other yellow fat products 9 Member States (33%): DK, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, AT, PL, SK
Other countries: CH, AL, BA, TR		 16 Member States (59%): BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI, SE
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI 1 Member State (4%): MT
Other countries: IS, NO, MK, XK
24 cheese
2411 cows’ milk cheese		 10 Member States (37%): DK, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, MT, AT, PL, SK
Other countries: CH, AL, BA, TR		 16 Member States (59%): BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI, SE
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI Other countries: IS, NO, MK, XK
25 processed cheese 9 Member States (33%): DK, HR, LV, LT, LU, AT, PL, SK, SE
Other countries: AL, BA, TR		 15 Member States (56%): BE, BG, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, CY, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI 2 Member State (7%): CZ, MT
Other countries: CH, IS, NO, MK, XK
27 whey 9 Member States (33%): DK, HR, CY, LV, LT, LU, AT, PL, SK
Other countries: CH, AL, BA, TR		 15 Member States (56%): BE, BG, DE, EE, IE, EL, ES, FR, IT, HU, NL, PT, RO, FI, SE
Other countries: ME, RS		 1 Member State (4%): SI 2 Member State (7%): CZ, MT
Other countries: IS, NO, MK, XK

In Eurostat, the data are aggregated to compile the EU aggregates and the annual totals (monthly data).
3.6. Adjustment

No adjustment is applied.


4. Quality management Top
4.1. Quality assurance

Animal production statistics are subject to the general quality assurance framework of Eurostat, where domain-specific quality assurance activities (the use of best practices, quality reviews, self-assessments, compliance monitoring) are carried out systematically.
4.2. Quality management - assessment

The latest quality review should provide findings and recommendations in 2022, for the whole process of all Eurostat animal production statistics.


5. Relevance Top
5.1. Relevance - User Needs

The main users are other Directorates General of the European Commission (e.g. DG Agriculture and rural development, especially through the Milk Market Observatory, and DG Health). However, there are other major users such as other European institutions, national administration services, national statistical institutes, other international organisations, agro-industry, producer groups, research institutes, journalists, third countries and the public in general. The objectives of these users vary, but the statistics of milk and milk products are especially useful for market management/monitoring and policy-making in the agricultural and dairy sector.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Key users are well known and their needs are met. In addition, specific questions from individual users are answered.
Eurostat conducts regular user surveys with a wider scope.
5.3. Completeness

The missing values concern especially the most detailed or rare variables that cannot be properly estimated through the survey.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate

For reference year 2022, amongst files delivered by the Member States, 99% were complete.


6. Accuracy and reliability Top
6.1. Accuracy - overall

The measured values are accurate, but the data users must consider the possible impact of

- changes in stocks, especially regarding the outcoming dairy products

- possible inaccuracy in control of double-counting,

- cross-border milk collection that might be handled in different ways on both sides of a border between Member States, especially when milk is collected by farmer groups, considered or not as agricultral holdings.
6.2. Sampling error

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3. Non-sampling error

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.1. Coverage error

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.2. Measurement error

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.3. Non response error

Reference year: 2022 

TABLE A (Dairy monthly data), TABLES B and H (Dairy annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

 

 A) From Dairies 

 Table 6.3.3.1: Usual response rate (%) (Results by country)

 

Question A.4 Monthly questionnaires (Dairies: Table A) A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H)  
EU Member States Usual response rate (%) Usual response rate (%)
BE 99 99
BG 98.3 98.7
CZ 100 100
DK 100 100
DE 100 100
EE 100 100
IE 100 96
EL 100 95
ES 51.58 51.24 % ( 599/1169 dairies ) (93.48 % of total milk volume for 2022)
FR 90 90
HR 92 95
IT NA 59.02
CY 100 100
LV 100 100
LT 100 100
LU 100 100
HU 100 100
MT 100 100
NL 92 83
AT 100 100
PL 97 98
PT 98 95-99
RO 99.1 98.3
SI 100 100
SK 100 100
FI 100 100
SE 100 100

 

Questions A.4 Monthly questionnaires (Dairies: Table A) A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H)  
Other countries Usual response rate (%) Usual response rate (%)
CH 100 100
IS 100 tables H and B not delivered
NO 100 100
AL 100 99.51
BA 100 34
MK Not available Not available
ME 92 83.3
RS 100 100
TR 99 99
XK Not available Not available

  

TABLE C (Farms annual data)

Collecting the basic information (Referring to the part 2 of the milk questionnaire)

B) Agricultural holdings (Farms) 

 

B.2 If there is a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm, detail procedures.

Table 6.3.3.2: Usual response rate (%)  (Results by country)

Questions B.2 If there is a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm:
EU Member States Usual response rate (%)
BE 99
BG 99.9
CZ 99.94
DK 100
DE depending on the federal state approx. 50 %
EE Not available
IE Not available
EL Not available
ES Not available
FR Not available
HR 92% (for sample)
IT Not available
CY Greater than 99%.
LV 98.4
LT For farmers’ farms – 91.9%; for companies and enterprises – 99.1%.
LU 100
HU 100
MT 100
NL Not available
AT Not available
PL sample survey in private farms - 81.8%; in other farms - 100%
PT Not available
RO 97
SI 60
SK 98
FI About 90 % (sample survey)
SE Not available

 

Questions B.2 If there is a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm:
Other countries Usual response rate (%)
CH 100
IS Not available
NO Not available
LI - 
AL No regular survey is conducted for Tbale C (production and use milk on farm)
BA We have regular survey for Table C (production and use milk on farm).
MK Not available
ME 86
RS 68.5 (Survey on agriculture production-animal production 2022)
TR The data of MILK_TABLEC_A will be transmitted after evaluating the results of animal production surveys conducted periodically by TurkStat.
XK Not available
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.4. Processing error

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
6.3.5. Model assumption error

Not applicable.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment

No seasonal adjustment is implemented.
6.5. Data revision - policy

Data revision policy is common to animal production statistics.
6.6. Data revision - practice

Data revision policy is common to animal production statistics.

Especially for the monthly statistics, the Member States are invited to revise their data when they have better estimates. Some of them do not revise their data after validation but some update them regularly.

Some of them never revise their data, either small Member States that can get final statistics at the deadline, or because the statistics cannot be improved.

The annual statistics on activity of dairies may be revised after having established the whole balance with the farm statistics and after having better external trade statistics.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size

For monthly data, Member States revised 11% of the files for reference year 2022.


7. Timeliness and punctuality Top

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
7.1. Timeliness

The statistics are due 45 days (monthly statistics), 6 months (statistics on activity of hatcheries) or 9 months (milk on farms, structure of the dairy enterprises) after the end of the reference period.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result

No preliminary or provisionnal results are expected, though the statistics can be revised.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result

The delivered results are usually supposed to be final.
7.2. Punctuality

Eurostat assesses punctuality on a regular basis as an element of compliance to legal requirements, and reports to the Working Group on Animal Production Statistics, on the Director's Group on Agricultural Statistics, and as part of the overall Eurostat compliance assessment.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

For reference year 2022, the percentage of late or missing files over the expected ones was 9% for the Member States. The average delay was 8 days.


8. Coherence and comparability Top

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
8.1. Comparability - geographical

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
8.3. Coherence - cross domain

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

The monthly milk statistics are representative of cows' milk collection, whereas the annual data on activity of dairies are representative of activity of all the dairy enterprises in a Member State. Therefore the reproted monthly production of milk products may differ from the annual figures, due to:

  • dairy enterprises processing milk products but not collecting milk,
  • dairy enterprise collecting only other milks than cows' milk.

Additionally, the monthly surveys are designed for getting faster results and the sample cannot represent properly the smaller dairy enterprises. Therefore phenomena affecting especially these smaller enterprises may be missed by the monthly statistics.
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)
8.6. Coherence - internal

Information not collected in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III)


9. Accessibility and clarity Top

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.1. Dissemination format - News release

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.3. Dissemination format - online database

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.5. Dissemination format - other

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.6. Documentation on methodology

The Member States shall send the Commission the methodological questionnaire set out in Annex II, duly completed, by the end of June of the next year. The annexed national reports reflect this questionnaire.
9.7. Quality management - documentation

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.


10. Cost and Burden Top

Not available.


11. Confidentiality Top

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
11.1. Confidentiality - policy

This dimension is common to animal production statistics.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

Reference year: 2022

 General (Referring to the part 1 of the milk questionnaire)

Question on the confidentiality of the data transmitted

Table 11.2.1: Data confidentiality 

Question: Do you have problems with data confidentiality?

Answer EU Member States Other countries
Number Percentage List List
Yes 17 62.96% BE, DE, EE, IE, ES, FR, HR, IT, LV, LU, MT, AT, PT, RO, SI, FI, SE NO
No 10 37.04% BG, CZ, DK, EL, CY, LT, HU, NL, PL, SK CH, IS, AL, BA, ME, RS, TR
No answer 0 0.00% -  MK, XK


12. Comment Top

No comment.


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top
Handbook for statistics on milk and milk products (2018)