Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The dataset includes the number of hens laying eggs for human consumption and the number of eggs produced for human consumption during the reference year. Statistics on laying hens and eggs production are collected during the annual survey on the number of livestock and animal production (including eggs). The figures represent the number of laying hens and the number of eggs produced for consumption in agricultural holdings with at least 350 laying hens.
The annual survey on the number of livestock and animal production on farmers’ and family farms is carried out through sampling methods, while on agricultural companies and enterprises, it is conducted through an exhaustive (census) survey. A representative sample of about 7000 farmers and family farms, breeding farm animals and poultry (including laying hens), is conducted based on the Statistical Farm Register. Statistical data from farmers and family farms are collected by filling in the electronical questionnaire of statistical survey or by interviewing respondents by phone. Statistical data from companies and enterprises are collected through the electronic statistical data preparation and transmission system by filling in the electronical questionnaire of statistical survey.
3.1.1. The main data source of the information
Eggs producers
3.2. Classification system
National version (EVRK Rev. 2) of the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE rev. 2).
Agricultural companies, enterprises, farmers’ and family farms engaged in eggs production are covered. Code NACE 01.47 (Raising of poultry) and 01.47.10 (Raising of poultry for meat and eggs production) are included.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The number of laying hens is the total number of laying hens in production on 31 December of the reference year. The number of eggs for consumption represents the total number of hen eggs produced during the calendar year by agricultural holdings in the country.
3.4.1. Definition of eggs for consumption under EU methodology
Yes
3.4.2. If not, specify the definition used.
Not applicable.
3.4.3. Definition of egg producer under EU methodology
Yes
3.4.4. If not, specify the definition used
Not applicable.
3.4.5. Definition of laying hens under EU methodology
Yes
3.4.6. If not, please describe the differences
Not applicable.
3.4.7. Definition of ungraded eggs under EU methodology
Not relevant
3.4.8. If not, specify the definition used
Not applicable.
3.4.9. Ungraded Eggs provided separately
Not relevant
3.4.10. Additional comments on statistical concepts and definitions
None.
3.5. Statistical unit
An agricultural holding with laying hens.
3.6. Statistical population
Agricultural companies and enterprises of all legal and ownership forms, farmers’ and family farms with laying hens and producing eggs for consumption.
3.6.1. Physical, economical or other threshold(s) applied to the data collection
Lithuania ensures that the eggs producers with at least 5,000 laying hens are covered. These eggs producers do not represent 75 % of the national number of laying hens. Therefore, the eggs producers with at least 350 laying hens are covered.
3.6.1.1. COVERAGE
In 2023, agricultural holdings with at least 350 laying hens accounted for 82.3% of the total laying hens population.
3.7. Reference area
The entire country.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are available since 2013.
3.8.1. The first survey/data collection
2014.
3.9. Base period
2023.
3.10. Other comments
None.
4.1. Unit of measure in million
Yes
4.2. Other unit of measures used
None.
5.1. Reference period in calendar year based
Yes
5.2. Reference date for number of laying hens
Yes
5.3. Additional comments on the reference period/date used
None.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
ESS Agreement on statistics on eggs for consumption.
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
11.1. Quality assurance
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of statistical information are State and municipal authorities and agencies, international organizations, the media, research and business communities, students, whose needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle.
12.1.1. Data collected for national purposes
The data on eggs for human consumption are collected for national purposes.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
12.3. Completeness
All indicators established by legislation and their components are published.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Statistical survey on farmers’ and family farms is carried out through sampling methods, on agricultural companies and enterprises – through an exhaustive (census) survey. In calculating the indicator estimates, statistical data are analysed by assessing outliers; data are edited. The non-response rate is evaluated, i.e. reweighting estimators are used for recalculating sampling design weights. Assessment method – SAS CLAN macro. Estimated values of population totals and estimates of the sampling variance are combined from two sources: a stratified simple random sample of farmers' and family farms and a census survey of agricultural companies and enterprises. Both surveys are drawn independently of each other.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
14.1. Timeliness
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
14.2. Punctuality
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistical information is comparable across the EU.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability over time is fully ensured.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Since 2013.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
18.1. Source data
The source of statistical data is statistical surveys. Relevant questions are integrated into the surveys that already exist: the exhaustive (census) statistical questionnaire on the number of livestock and animal production in agricultural companies and enterprises ZUM-24 and the sampling statistical questionnaire on the number of livestock and animal production on farmers’ and family farms ZUU-02. An administrative source, the Register of Farm Animals, is used to indentify agricultural holdings with at least 350 laying hens and for other characteristics, either by directly taking the data or by prefilling the questionnaires for the units in the sample. The number of laying hens from the Register of Farm Animals is used to prefill the questionnaire, for example, the number of laying hens at the beginning and the end of the year. If there are changes in farms, these data could be revised. If farms keep laying hens, then eggs should be collected in these farms and data about them must be provided in the questionnaires.
18.1.1. Description of data collection process
Statistical data from farmers and family farms are collected by filling in the questionnaire of statistical survey (ZUU-02) in the Electronic Population Survey System or by interviewing respondents by phone. As many as 7000 (about 9% of the total number of farms) farmers and family farms are surveyed once per year. Egg producers with at least 350 laying hens are selected for these surveys with a probability of 1. The survey of the number of livestock and poultry is carried out in all regions. In case of agricultural companies and enterprises, exhaustive survey is carried out. Annual statistical data from companies and enterprises (by filling in questionnaire ZUM-24) are collected in the electronic statistical data preparation and transmission system. Estimated values of population totals and estimates of the sampling variance are combined from two sources: a stratified simple random sample of farmers' and family farms and a census survey of agricultural companies and enterprises. Both surveys are drawn independently of each other.
18.1.2. Model used as a breakdown based on individual information
Not relevant
18.1.3. Method used for the model
Not relevant.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
All surveys are annual. There is regular data collection since 2013.
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
18.4. Data validation
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
18.5. Data compilation
18.5.1. Data compilation process - data weighting
The total number of laying hens is available from the annual livestock surveys. Egg producers with at least 350 laying hens are selected for these surveys with a probability of 1.
The dataset includes the number of hens laying eggs for human consumption and the number of eggs produced for human consumption during the reference year. Statistics on laying hens and eggs production are collected during the annual survey on the number of livestock and animal production (including eggs). The figures represent the number of laying hens and the number of eggs produced for consumption in agricultural holdings with at least 350 laying hens.
The annual survey on the number of livestock and animal production on farmers’ and family farms is carried out through sampling methods, while on agricultural companies and enterprises, it is conducted through an exhaustive (census) survey. A representative sample of about 7000 farmers and family farms, breeding farm animals and poultry (including laying hens), is conducted based on the Statistical Farm Register. Statistical data from farmers and family farms are collected by filling in the electronical questionnaire of statistical survey or by interviewing respondents by phone. Statistical data from companies and enterprises are collected through the electronic statistical data preparation and transmission system by filling in the electronical questionnaire of statistical survey.
14 June 2024
The number of laying hens is the total number of laying hens in production on 31 December of the reference year. The number of eggs for consumption represents the total number of hen eggs produced during the calendar year by agricultural holdings in the country.
An agricultural holding with laying hens.
Agricultural companies and enterprises of all legal and ownership forms, farmers’ and family farms with laying hens and producing eggs for consumption.
The entire country.
Statistical survey on farmers’ and family farms is carried out through sampling methods, on agricultural companies and enterprises – through an exhaustive (census) survey. In calculating the indicator estimates, statistical data are analysed by assessing outliers; data are edited. The non-response rate is evaluated, i.e. reweighting estimators are used for recalculating sampling design weights. Assessment method – SAS CLAN macro. Estimated values of population totals and estimates of the sampling variance are combined from two sources: a stratified simple random sample of farmers' and family farms and a census survey of agricultural companies and enterprises. Both surveys are drawn independently of each other.
The source of statistical data is statistical surveys. Relevant questions are integrated into the surveys that already exist: the exhaustive (census) statistical questionnaire on the number of livestock and animal production in agricultural companies and enterprises ZUM-24 and the sampling statistical questionnaire on the number of livestock and animal production on farmers’ and family farms ZUU-02. An administrative source, the Register of Farm Animals, is used to indentify agricultural holdings with at least 350 laying hens and for other characteristics, either by directly taking the data or by prefilling the questionnaires for the units in the sample. The number of laying hens from the Register of Farm Animals is used to prefill the questionnaire, for example, the number of laying hens at the beginning and the end of the year. If there are changes in farms, these data could be revised. If farms keep laying hens, then eggs should be collected in these farms and data about them must be provided in the questionnaires.
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
Not applicable (for the 2023 metadata collection).
Statistical information is comparable across the EU.
