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.
For more information, you can consult the Eurostat glossary page on the standard output.
3.2. Classification system
Data collected include information on the number of harvests, value, quantity and unit price corresponding to the standard output coefficients of a list of products, broken down by FADN region for each country (reference area). Such values are expressed in euro (and in national currency for countries out of euro area).
The list of products is based on the classifications of crop and livestock variables available in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2018/1091.
The FADN regions refer to the Farm Accountancy Data Network divisions that are territories of a Member State, or any part thereof, delimited with a view to the selection of returning holdings. See Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 for more information.
The standard output coefficients are used to calculate the standard output of agricultural holdings and to classify agricultural holdings by type of farming and economic size. The farm type is determined by the relative contribution of the different productions to the total standard output of the holding.
The standard output coefficient of an agricultural product (crop or livestock) SOC2020, is the average monetary value of the agricultural output at the farm-gate price, in euro per hectare or per head of livestock.
In Romania, SOC2020 for each product was calculated as an average value over a reference period of 5 years (2018 to 2022), for all 8 statistical regions. The sum of all the standard output coefficients multiplied by a (respectively) hectare of crop and head of livestock in a farm is a measure of its overall economic size, expressed in euro. As a Member State, Romania calculates the values of Standard Output Coefficients using the FADN data. Standard output is mainly used to determine the typology and the economic size of the agricultural holdings.
The agricultural holdings participating in the FADN survey were selected as a representative sample from the Statistical Farm Register administrated by the National Institute of Statistics as follows:
For 2015 to 2017 the statistical population was assured by FSS 2013, from the total of 3629652 farms only 1136230 represented the sample frame for the FADN survey, having the threshold of at least 2000 Euro economic size;
For 2018-2022 the statistical population was assured by FSS 2016, from the total of 3422026 farms only 526249 represented the sample frame for the FADN survey, having the threshold of at least 4000 Euro economic size;
3.7. Reference area
Standard Output Coefficients (SOC) are collected under the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), by FADN regions in each country. FADN regions are mapped with NUTS regions. For more information on NUTS regions, see the NUTS classification.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The SO 2004 was calculated using the average of 2003, 2004 and 2005 prices. It is applied in 2007 Farm structure survey data and has been applied to 2005 Farm structure survey to allow comparability over the time periods.
The SO 2007 was calculated using the average of 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 prices. It is applied in the 2010 Farm structure survey data.
The SO 2010 was calculated using the average of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 prices. It is applied in the 2013 Farm structure survey data.
The SO 2013 was calculated using the average of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 prices. It is applied in the 2016 Farm structure survey data.
The SOC 2017 was calculated using the average of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 prices. It is applied in the 2020 Farm structure survey data.
The SOC 2020 was calculated using the average of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 prices. It is applied in the 2023 Farm structure survey data.
3.9. Base period
2015-2019 SOC 2017
2018-2022 SOC 2020
Units of measure utilised in the SOC data set are listed in the data transmission file to Eurostat by product. In general terms the used ones are EUR/100HEAD, EUR/100M2, EUR/HA, EUR/HEAD, EUR/HIVE.
Article 4 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1198/2014 states on the reference period for the standard output: “For the purposes of calculating standard outputs for the Union farm structure survey for year N, as referred to in Article 5b(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009, the reference period consists of the five successive years from year N-5 to year N-1. The standard outputs shall be determined using average basic data calculated over the reference period laid down in the first paragraph and commonly referred to as ‘N-3 standard outputs’. These N-3 standard outputs shall be updated to take account of economic trends at least each time a Union farm structure survey is carried out.”
For IFS 2020 this means that the Standard Output Coefficients required will be those calculated on the period of 5 years that spans from 2015 to 2019 (SOC2017)
For IFS 2023 this means that the Standard Output Coefficients required will be those calculated on the period of 5 years that spans from 2018 to 2022 (SOC2020)
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) was established in Romania in 2004.
Current national legal base is assured by:
Government Ordinance no. 67/2004 on the establishment at the national level of the Farm Accountancy Data Network, approved by Law no. 465/2004;
Order no. 512 of June 28, 2005, on the Methodological Norms for the application of the Government Ordinance no. 67/2004 on the establishment at the national level of the national Farm Accountancy Data Network, approved with amendments by Law no. 465/2004;
Current European legal base is assured by:
Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 of 30 November 2009 setting up a network for the collection of accountancy data on the incomes and business operation of agricultural holdings in the European Community;
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1198/2014 of 1 August 2014 supplementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 setting up a network for the collection of accountancy data on the incomes and business operation of agricultural holdings in the European Union;
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220 of 3 February 2015 laying down rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 setting up a network for the collection of accountancy data on the incomes and business operation of agricultural holdings in the European Union;
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) 2019/1975 of 31 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220 laying down rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 setting up a network for the collection of accountancy data on the incomes and business operation of agricultural holdings in the European Union.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not requested for this reference year.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
According to the Ministry Order no. 512 of June 28, 2005, on the Methodological Norms for the application of the Government Ordinance no. 67/2004 for the establishment at the national level of the FADN, approved with modifications by Law no. 465/2004, data collectors annually sign a confidentiality agreement (annex 6 from order) and data providers sign an agreement (annex 5 from order) to participate in the RICA survey. Access to confidential data only for scientific purposes, all the conditions are laid down in the FADN legislation.
FADN Unit and data collectors apply the provisions of General Data Protection Regulation - EU REGULATION 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Agricultural holdings are coded, the name and contact details are known only by FADN staff, they cannot be identified, the data provided are published only in aggregate mode.
8.1. Release calendar
Not required.
8.2. Release calendar access
SOC 2017 were published on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development website - RICA section.
SOC 2020 will be published after validation, on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development website - RICA section.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not requested for this reference year.
SOC data are published on Eurobase under the “Additional data - Eurostat (europa.eu)” page on Agriculture statistics. The publication of the data normally takes place within N+1 year after the deadline for the data transmission. Nevertheless, updates of the data can occur, triggered by DG Agri and Eurostat revision and post-validation checks.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
SOC2017 is available online as data tables at the website - RICA section
SOC 2020 will be published after validation, on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development website - RICA section.
SOC2020 data set will be transmitted to the Agency for Rural Investments Financing and to Rural Development Management Authority, in order to be used for farm economic size calculation for the National Rural Development Program beneficiaries
On-demand to all agricultural producers organizations or farm associations.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not requested for this reference year.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Not requested for this reference year.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not requested for this reference year.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not requested for this reference year.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not requested for this reference year.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested for this reference year.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Not requested for this reference year.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested for this reference year.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not requested for this reference year.
11.1. Quality assurance
Not required.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Not requested for this reference year.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The SOC 2017 data set is mainly used by the National Institute of Statistics for calculating the economic size and typology of the agricultural holdings participating on General Agricultural Census 2020.
At the national level, the SOC 2017 coefficients are to be used within the national rural development program, in order to provide financial support measures, starting with 2021.
The SOC 2020 data set is mainly used by the National Institute of Statistics for calculating the economic size and typology of the agricultural holdings participating on next IFS.
At the national level, the SOC 2020 coefficients are to be used within the national rural development program, in order to provide financial support measures, starting with 2024.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not required.
12.3. Completeness
As it is known, the SOC 2017 data set was calculated as the average of the years 2015-2019.
Until 2018, there were approximately 6000 participating agricultural holdings, with an economic size of 2000 euros and over. Starting with the agricultural year 2018, the participation threshold increased from 2000 to 4000 euros, which led to the decrease of agricultural holdings to 5100.
In 2015 it was implemented the current software application and it was the first time for the FADN users to come into contact with it. For this reason, the FADN data were collected only from 4750 farms, below the initial sample of 6000 farms.
In the following years used for the calculation of the SOC 2017 data set, the participation threshold of agricultural holdings was reached.
SOC 2020 data set was calculated as the average of the years 2018-2022 for a sample of 5100 holdings with a threshold of 4000 Euro.
For the years 2018, 2021, 2022, data was collected from all 5100 farms from the sample. In 2019, 5100 were collected but only 5091 were validated. Due to the pandemic period and farmers' reluctance to cooperation with the collectors, the data collected in 2021 for the accounting year 2020, were 5027 out of the total of 5100 in the sample.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
At the national level, the required number of farm returns was covered only from 2016-2019. Regarding the completeness rate of the selection plan, there were some problems because many farms have changed the structure of their crops, focusing on market requirements, which has led to a change in the typology and economic size class coverage.
The Commission accepted data for all these years as incomplete.
In general, there were no missing variables in the accounting data collected from the participating holdings. If were recorded situations with missing data for certain variables, after centralizing and analyzing data, they were reported to the data collectors, who fixed the problems.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The main sources of errors (for example, errors caused by respondents and interview operators) were minimized by the methodological and organizational activities subsequent to the centralization and analysis of data at the central level.
The specialized FADN software used by data collectors was annually updated with the test versions from the RICA 1 system, which reduces the occurrence of errors.
13.2. Sampling error
Not requested for this reference year.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not requested for this reference year.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested for this reference year.
14.1. Timeliness
The SOC 2017 data set was sent on time and the answers to the clarification requests were made as soon as possible same for SOC2020.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not requested for this reference year.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not requested for this reference year.
14.2. Punctuality
The methodological report for SOC 2017 was not sent due to a misunderstanding regarding its realization, because it is the first time that this report is requested.
The methodological report for SOC 2020 was sent in 2024.
In Romania, until SOC 2017 data set, the Standard Output coefficients were calculated as a single region for the entire country. Beginning with SOC 2017 it was the first time when the coefficients were broken down by statistical regions.
SOC 2020 data set were calculated as a single region for the entire country and broken down by statistical regions.
when compared SOC2020 data of Romania with those of of neighbour countries, many values are close, but there are indeed some discrepancies.
Some agricultural sectors in Romania were affected by drought or floods, diseases in the animal sector such as swine fever and bird flu, factors that influenced the values of the calculated coefficients.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not requested for this reference year.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparisons were made with data from previous FADN surveys. There were no deviations from the definition of the agricultural holding compared to those previously used, so the data are fully comparable.
In case of large differences between data sources, farms with very high values of indicators were contacted again by local data collectors and, if necessary, corrections were made, or on the contrary, the initial values were reconfirmed.
Comparing the variations between SOC2017 and 2020 it can be pointed out that:
R9000TOther root crops n.e.c. – outdoor: Very large productions were reported, which justifies the decrease in the selling price.
I1140T Linseed (oilflax) – outdoor: It is a crop that is not profitable, it has a low price, the processing units are missing, RO has no farmers to provide with data, they were kept the same coefficient as in previous years, updated with inflation.
I2100T Fibre flax – outdoor: Flax and hemp fibres lost their economic importance with the collapse of the textile industry. The smelters disappeared and the processing machines ended up as scrap metal. The areas cultivated with flax decrease from year to year. In 2018, in the INS statistics, there was not even one hectare with this plant, RO had no farms with flax for fibre in FADN survey and they were kept the same coefficient as in previous years, updated with inflation.
I4000T Hops: itis a difficult crop that requires high maintenance costs. Perhaps this is also the reason why there are currently only five producers in the whole country, and only one holding provided data for FADN in 2018, after which it did not report anymore. The coefficient is based on the data obtained from the Association of Romanian Hop Producers.
F1000T Fruit of temperate climate zones: The increase in the coefficient is justified by the fact that young plantations have come into fruition with good productions. The selling price was high in some counties where the fruits were sold per piece for pupils through the "National program for fruit in school "
F1200T Stone fruits – outdoor: New plantations, intensive production, prices of apricots, cherries and peaches was high.
U1000 Cultivated mushrooms: There are few producers, RO had in previous years only one big mushroom farm on the basis of which they were calculated the coefficient.
N0000S Flowers and ornamental plants - under glass or high accessible cover: The flowers sector has developed a lot in the las years. It is difficult for farmers to estimate the production quantity because of the different types of flowers they cultivate, cut flowers and potted flowers. The production value helps us to calculate the coefficient and we confirm that the sale price of flowers has increased in last years.
A2230 Heifers, 2 years old and over and A2300G Non dairy cows: Farmers have started to raise purebred animals, which is why the prices have increased, the increase in the coefficient is justified.
A5140 Broilers: The production of poultry meat has been increasing in last years, as well as the selling price, thus justifying the increase of the coefficient.
A5230 A5210 A5220 : In the FADN survey RO has very few farms with such poultry breeds. The price of meat has increased for these categories and there are few producers in all country.
A6111 Rabbits: For very few farm rabbits, RO recalculated the coefficient using data from a specialized farm.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not requested for this reference year.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not requested for this reference year.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not requested for this reference year.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not requested for this reference year.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not requested for this reference year.
All the data collection costs are covered by fees received from EC for the validated farm returns while the functional cost was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from the national budget.
All the agricultural holdings participating in the FADN survey were interviewed face to face by private data collectors.
Because the survey is on voluntary base and because is a specialized survey with sensitive questions some representative respondents refuse to provide information and this is the main problem in obtaining reliable accountancy data.
All the agricultural holdings participating in the FADN survey in 2021 (accounting year 2020) were interviewed over the phone due to the COVID pandemic.
For more information, you can consult the Eurostat glossary page on the standard output.
31 December 2023
The standard output coefficient of an agricultural product (crop or livestock) SOC2020, is the average monetary value of the agricultural output at the farm-gate price, in euro per hectare or per head of livestock.
In Romania, SOC2020 for each product was calculated as an average value over a reference period of 5 years (2018 to 2022), for all 8 statistical regions. The sum of all the standard output coefficients multiplied by a (respectively) hectare of crop and head of livestock in a farm is a measure of its overall economic size, expressed in euro. As a Member State, Romania calculates the values of Standard Output Coefficients using the FADN data. Standard output is mainly used to determine the typology and the economic size of the agricultural holdings.
The agricultural holdings participating in the FADN survey were selected as a representative sample from the Statistical Farm Register administrated by the National Institute of Statistics as follows:
For 2015 to 2017 the statistical population was assured by FSS 2013, from the total of 3629652 farms only 1136230 represented the sample frame for the FADN survey, having the threshold of at least 2000 Euro economic size;
For 2018-2022 the statistical population was assured by FSS 2016, from the total of 3422026 farms only 526249 represented the sample frame for the FADN survey, having the threshold of at least 4000 Euro economic size;
Standard Output Coefficients (SOC) are collected under the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), by FADN regions in each country. FADN regions are mapped with NUTS regions. For more information on NUTS regions, see the NUTS classification.
Article 4 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1198/2014 states on the reference period for the standard output: “For the purposes of calculating standard outputs for the Union farm structure survey for year N, as referred to in Article 5b(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009, the reference period consists of the five successive years from year N-5 to year N-1. The standard outputs shall be determined using average basic data calculated over the reference period laid down in the first paragraph and commonly referred to as ‘N-3 standard outputs’. These N-3 standard outputs shall be updated to take account of economic trends at least each time a Union farm structure survey is carried out.”
For IFS 2020 this means that the Standard Output Coefficients required will be those calculated on the period of 5 years that spans from 2015 to 2019 (SOC2017)
For IFS 2023 this means that the Standard Output Coefficients required will be those calculated on the period of 5 years that spans from 2018 to 2022 (SOC2020)
The main sources of errors (for example, errors caused by respondents and interview operators) were minimized by the methodological and organizational activities subsequent to the centralization and analysis of data at the central level.
The specialized FADN software used by data collectors was annually updated with the test versions from the RICA 1 system, which reduces the occurrence of errors.
Units of measure utilised in the SOC data set are listed in the data transmission file to Eurostat by product. In general terms the used ones are EUR/100HEAD, EUR/100M2, EUR/HA, EUR/HEAD, EUR/HIVE.
Not requested for this reference year.
FADN Surveys 2015-2019 for SOC 2017
FADN Surveys 2018-2022 for SOC 2020
SOC data are published on Eurobase under the “Additional data - Eurostat (europa.eu)” page on Agriculture statistics. The publication of the data normally takes place within N+1 year after the deadline for the data transmission. Nevertheless, updates of the data can occur, triggered by DG Agri and Eurostat revision and post-validation checks.
The SOC 2017 data set was sent on time and the answers to the clarification requests were made as soon as possible same for SOC2020.
In Romania, until SOC 2017 data set, the Standard Output coefficients were calculated as a single region for the entire country. Beginning with SOC 2017 it was the first time when the coefficients were broken down by statistical regions.
SOC 2020 data set were calculated as a single region for the entire country and broken down by statistical regions.
when compared SOC2020 data of Romania with those of of neighbour countries, many values are close, but there are indeed some discrepancies.
Some agricultural sectors in Romania were affected by drought or floods, diseases in the animal sector such as swine fever and bird flu, factors that influenced the values of the calculated coefficients.
Comparisons were made with data from previous FADN surveys. There were no deviations from the definition of the agricultural holding compared to those previously used, so the data are fully comparable.
In case of large differences between data sources, farms with very high values of indicators were contacted again by local data collectors and, if necessary, corrections were made, or on the contrary, the initial values were reconfirmed.
Comparing the variations between SOC2017 and 2020 it can be pointed out that:
R9000TOther root crops n.e.c. – outdoor: Very large productions were reported, which justifies the decrease in the selling price.
I1140T Linseed (oilflax) – outdoor: It is a crop that is not profitable, it has a low price, the processing units are missing, RO has no farmers to provide with data, they were kept the same coefficient as in previous years, updated with inflation.
I2100T Fibre flax – outdoor: Flax and hemp fibres lost their economic importance with the collapse of the textile industry. The smelters disappeared and the processing machines ended up as scrap metal. The areas cultivated with flax decrease from year to year. In 2018, in the INS statistics, there was not even one hectare with this plant, RO had no farms with flax for fibre in FADN survey and they were kept the same coefficient as in previous years, updated with inflation.
I4000T Hops: itis a difficult crop that requires high maintenance costs. Perhaps this is also the reason why there are currently only five producers in the whole country, and only one holding provided data for FADN in 2018, after which it did not report anymore. The coefficient is based on the data obtained from the Association of Romanian Hop Producers.
F1000T Fruit of temperate climate zones: The increase in the coefficient is justified by the fact that young plantations have come into fruition with good productions. The selling price was high in some counties where the fruits were sold per piece for pupils through the "National program for fruit in school "
F1200T Stone fruits – outdoor: New plantations, intensive production, prices of apricots, cherries and peaches was high.
U1000 Cultivated mushrooms: There are few producers, RO had in previous years only one big mushroom farm on the basis of which they were calculated the coefficient.
N0000S Flowers and ornamental plants - under glass or high accessible cover: The flowers sector has developed a lot in the las years. It is difficult for farmers to estimate the production quantity because of the different types of flowers they cultivate, cut flowers and potted flowers. The production value helps us to calculate the coefficient and we confirm that the sale price of flowers has increased in last years.
A2230 Heifers, 2 years old and over and A2300G Non dairy cows: Farmers have started to raise purebred animals, which is why the prices have increased, the increase in the coefficient is justified.
A5140 Broilers: The production of poultry meat has been increasing in last years, as well as the selling price, thus justifying the increase of the coefficient.
A5230 A5210 A5220 : In the FADN survey RO has very few farms with such poultry breeds. The price of meat has increased for these categories and there are few producers in all country.
A6111 Rabbits: For very few farm rabbits, RO recalculated the coefficient using data from a specialized farm.
