Milk and milk products (apro_mk)

National Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Milk statistics Quality Report Structure (esqrsmk)

Compiling agency: Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT)


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)
 



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT)
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Agricultural Statistics Unit
1.5. Contact mail address

Statistical Service of Cyprus

Michael Karaoli street,

1444 Nicosia,

Cyprus

 


2. Statistical presentation Top
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 metadata report is also produced.

Also, Article 3 of thE Official Statistics Law, No. 25(I) of 2021 defines the functions of the Statistical Service of Cyprus regarding the production and dissemination of official statistics. Moreover, Article 13, explicitly stipulates the mandate for data collection and introduces a mandatory response to statistical enquiries by stipulating the obligation of respondents to reply to surveys and provide the data required. This relates official statistics and also to European statistics which, by virtue of Article 8 of the said Law, are incorporated in the annual and multiannual programmes of work without any further procedure.
2.2. Classification system

The list of items and their definition, which are specified in Annex I: list of milk products and explanatory notes and Annex II: list of tables and explanatory notes of the Decision 97/80/EC is followed.
2.3. Coverage - sector

All agricultural holdings on farm production and utilization of milk on farms are covered; All dairies whose activity is milk collection and milk production are covered.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

Milk statistics (annual) in Dairies 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 (utilized whole milk, with the full content of fat and proteins) and USM (utilized skimmed milk, with the full content of proteins, without fat). As 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.

 

Regional data - Cyprus in one region, therefore NUTS1 is applied.


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  
Are there purchases of raw milk by dairies from approved purchasers located in another country?  No
If Yes, are these purchases entered on the accounts with imports? (Table B, column B) 
If you use data from external trade statistics, explain how you separate imports for the dairy industry from other imports. 

No applicable.
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?  Other
If Other, specify: 

No such case

 

Part B) USE (manufactured products)  
B.1 Main products (column 1 in the table B)  
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.) No
If yes, are both surveys managed by the same body? 
B.2 Double counting  
B.2.1 In dairies  
To avoid double counting, on which variables does the survey focus?  On products received, before processing (RECEIPT of products)
Comments 
B.2.2 Cheese – processed cheese  
Do you conduct a specific survey covering the raw materials used to make processed cheese? (cheese, butter, cream, other milk products)  No
Are these raw materials deducted from or included in the data in column 1 of Table B? 
B.4 Calculation of fat inputs  
How are the fat inputs in Table B calculated?  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)
Certain States may use both methods (self-monitoring): specify 

Both methods are used depending on the availability of data, on the product and on the dairy.
B.5 Proteins (Table H)  
What is your method of measuring or estimating proteins?  as OUTPUT (i.e. on the basis of the finished product)
Any explanations 

Several dairies are not in a position to provide information on the protein content of the produced products.


TABLE C (Farms annual data)

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

B) Agricultural holdings (farms)  
B.6 Cows' milk  
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?  Yes
2.5. Statistical unit

All agricultural holdings  engaged in livestock breeding, dairy enterprises and collection centres.
2.6. Statistical population

All agricultural holdings producing milk and all dairy enterprises in Cyprus are covered.
2.7. Reference area

Republic of Cyprus.
2.8. Coverage - Time

Statistics on milk production go back to 1960.
2.9. Base period

Not applicable.


3. Statistical processing Top
3.1. Source data

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  
Number of dairy companies present on the 1 January (reference year) (excluding centres or companies which only collect) 

100

 
Number of collection centres or companies (as defined in Article 2 (2) of Directive 96/16/EC) 

5
A.2 Origin of the listing (of survey units) used for monthly and annual surveys (Tables A and B)  
What is the origin of the listing used?  Other
If Other, specify sources 

A list of dairy enterprises is forwarded to the Statistical Service by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
A.3 How often is the listing updated? (Tables A and B)  
Do you update the listing used  Continuous
A.4 Monthly questionnaires (Dairies: Table A)  
Number of survey units concerned 

35
Proportion of statistical population surveyed by this sample (%) 

100
Do you use supplementary sources of information?  Yes
If Yes, which? 

A comparison between milk collected by the dairies and milk distributed by the collecting centers is performed.
A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H) 
Number of survey units concerned 

The annual survey is exhaustive.
Do you use supplementary sources of information?  Yes
If Yes, which? 

Data received by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.


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  
Do you use the data obtained directly from dairies to record cross-border trade?  Yes
If Yes  Other sources
If Other sources, specify 

Annual questionnaire
Do you use the data from external trade statistics?  No

 

Part B) USE (manufactured products)  
B.4 Calculation of fat inputs  
Do you use data from dairies as a source of information?  Yes
If not, what source of information is used? 


TABLES C and I (Farms annual data)

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

B) Agricultural holdings (Farms)  
Number of agricultural holdings (farms) concerned on the 1 January (reference year) 

2391 (based on the latest available information from the FSS2016)
B.1 Existence of a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm (Table C)  
Is there a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm?  Yes
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)  
Do you use supplementary sources of information?  Yes
If Yes, which? 

Information on milk production of sheep, goats and bovines by the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
B.6 Regional data - Evaluation of regional production (Table I)  
Do data exist at source?  Yes
Are data calculated a postériori?  No
If the data are calculated, which is the method used? 
If Other, specify 
3.2. Frequency of data collection

Information collected is in line with the Decision 97/80/EC (ANNEX III).
3.3. Data collection

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

Does any other body play a part in compiling milk statistics?  Yes
If yes, give the name and details of the body. 

For TABLE B and TABLE C the Department of Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.  


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)  
Survey method  By enumerators
By telephone
By e-mail
If Other, specify means 
A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and H)  
Survey method  By enumerators
By telephone
By e-mail
If Other, specify mean


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.  
Survey method  By enumerators
If Other, specify means 
Description of survey methodology 

All owners of agricultural holdings (farms) breeding bovines, sheep, or goats are been visited by the enumerators and asked information on their milk collection, the utility of the milk and whether or not they use part of the milk collected for the production of milk products. The great majority of farmers do produce, even in small quantities, dairy products.
3.4. Data validation

Manual checks are carried out and, where necessary, contacts with the respondents are taking place for clarification and verification of data. Validations are performed for possible coding errors and volume errors.
3.5. Data compilation

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 

How are the milk inputs in Table B calculated for the following products?
11-12 liquid milk and buttermilk Direct survey
13 creams Direct survey
14-15-16 other fresh products (acidified milks, milk-based drinks, jellied milks, etc.) Direct survey
21 concentrated milk Use of technical coefficients
22 powder products Use of technical coefficients
23 Total butter and other yellow fat products Direct survey
24 cheeses Direct survey
2411 cows’ milk cheeses Direct survey
25 processed cheeses Use of technical coefficients
27 whey Direct survey


TABLE C (Farms annual data)

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

B) Agricultural holdings (Farms) 
B.5 If there is not a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm 
Explain and detail the method used to calculate or estimate the annual production and use of milk on the farm:
3.6. Adjustment

No adjustments are made.


4. Quality management Top
4.1. Quality assurance

The quality of statistics in CYSTAT is managed in the framework of the European Statistics Code of Practice which sets the standards for developing, producing and disseminating European Statistics as well as the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). CYSTAT endorses the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System. In addition, CYSTAT is guided by the requirements provided for in Article 11 of the Statistics Law No. 25(I) of 2021 as well as Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, which sets out the quality criteria to be applied in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.

Statistics are produced in accordance with the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice and in line with the principles governing its implementation. Every effort is made for producing quality data by applying various checks at different stages of production.
4.2. Quality management - assessment

The quality of statistics is assessed according to five quality criteria: relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, coherence and comparability. The quality indicators are assessed taking into account Eurostat defined methodology and recommendations. On the basis of the above criteria, the statistics produced are assessed as being of good quality.


5. Relevance Top
5.1. Relevance - User Needs

The design of the questionnaire covers to a major extent user needs.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Overall, there is a high level of satisfaction of the users of statistical data published by CYSTAT. Since 2008 (with the exception of 2010, 2013 and 2020) CYSTAT carries out an annual online “Users Satisfaction Survey” but is not specific to milk and milk product statistics. It does not allow for adequate conclusions to be made on this specific statistics, but to our knowledge, the rate of satisfaction among users is quite high, both for the private and government sectors. The results of the surveys are available on CYSTAT’s website at the link below.

https://www.cystat.gov.cy/en/StaticPage?id=1144
5.3. Completeness

The data are transmitted to Eurostat at the level of detail required by the relevant Regulations.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate

Information collected is in line with the Decision 97/80/EC. 100% completeness.


6. Accuracy and reliability Top
6.1. Accuracy - overall

The primary objective is the accurate and reliable data. For this purpose, a multilevel checking system of the questionnaires is set up after the completion of the data collection. Results are evaluated after the data analysis and are compared with information received from other sources.
6.2. Sampling error

Data are not subject to sampling errors since they are based on census.
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators

Non applicable.
6.3. Non-sampling error

Non-sampling error is not quantified, but is considered to be small. Continuous methodological improvements and survey process improvements are performed. In particular,

  • The personnel working at the collection stage is well experienced and properly guide.
  • Considering the respondent’s burden and cost, the questionnaire is designed to be clear and simple. The data collection is made using the means that each respondent prefers (fax, telephone, e-mail) in order to reduce non-response.
  • A lot of checks are carried out at micro level. Inconsistencies or large deviations are checked. Also during the data editing process, the entered value is being checked twice.
  • To ensure the quality of the time series, comparative analyses are made with the previous years’s results. If inconsistencies are detected, the data are verified at micro level again by using the raw data of the questionnaire or by contacting the enterprise for explanations and confirmation of the data.
  • Results are cross-referenced with other sources.
  • Controls on aggregated data are also performed before their release.
6.3.1. Coverage error

Full coverage is achieved.
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

The Vetrinary Services provide the licences for the establishments enganged in the field, so over coverage is not possible.
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

Not applicable.
6.3.2. Measurement error

Not applicable.
6.3.3. Non response error

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) 
Usual response rate (%)

100
Which method do you use to estimate data for non-respondents?

Not applicable as response rate reach 100%.
A.5 Annual questionnaires (Dairies: Tables B and  H) 
Usual response rate (%)

100
Which method do you use to estimate data for non-respondents?

Not applicable as response rate 100%


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.  
Usual response rate (%)

Greater than 99%.
B.3 In case of a regular survey of the production and use of milk on the farm, method used to estimate the quantities produced and used by non-respondents 
What method do you use to estimate the quantities of milk produced and used on the farm by non-respondents?

All owners of agricultural holdings (farms) breeding bovines, sheep, or goats are visited by the enumerators and asked about their milk collection, the utility of the milk and whether or not they use part of the milk collected for the production of milk products. The great majority of farmers do produce, even in small quantities, dairy products.


Unit non-response - rate

The unit non response rate is limited.


Item non-response - rate

The item non response rate is limited.
6.3.4. Processing error

Appropriate validation procedures are applied at micro level and the following actions are performed: (a) monitoring and analyzing the data completeneness and (b) consulting with the reporing units to confirm data.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate

Not applicable.
6.3.5. Model assumption error

Not applicable.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment

Not applicable.
6.5. Data revision - policy

There is a formal revision policy at Cystat. Cystat publishes its Revision Policy on its website, describing the general rules and principles governing the procedure of revising data published by Cystat. The policy is based on the guidelines of the European Statistical System (ESS) regarding revision policies for principal European economic indicators, also taking into account the Quality Assurance Framework of the ESS and the European Statistics Code of Practice. The policy is of a general nature, applicable to revisions in all statistical domains. Domain specific policies are described in the relevant quality reports. Any changes to such policies are pre-announced, well-documented and communicated to users appropriately. The revision policy can be found at: Revision Policy (cystat.gov.cy)

The same practice is applied both to data released nationally and to data transmitted to Eurostat. When revised data are transmitted to Eurostat, these are flagged accordingly and accompanied by the necessary explanations.

Cystat maintains and releases a revision calendar for scheduled revisions on its website, so that users are informed in advance when revised data are released. CYSTAT also publishes a list of scheduled revisions (regular or major revisions), also published on its website, at the following link:

Revision_Policy-CYSTAT-EN-281122.pdf
6.6. Data revision - practice

When revised data are disseminated by Cystat, they are appropriately flagged both in the text and the relevant tables and are accompanied by explanatory notes, if needed. The explanatory notes contain information explaining the reasons for revising the data and, where relevant, new methodologies or new sources. 
6.6.1. Data revision - average size

The difference between the later and an earlier estimate was not calculated.


7. Timeliness and punctuality Top
7.1. Timeliness

Data are transmitted to Eurostat 6 months after the end of the reference year.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result

The first results are produced and transmitted to Eurostat six months after the end of the reference year.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result

The final results are available one or two months after the transmission of the first results. As soon as the information is finalized, revised data ara trasmitted to Eurostat.
7.2. Punctuality

Data are sent on time without delay according to the transmission deadlines.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

Data are transmitted to Eurostat within the deadlines.


8. Coherence and comparability Top
8.1. Comparability - geographical

Since Cyprus is a NUTS1 region, comparability is possible only with other European countries.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time

Data are comparable for the years 2004 onwards (due to change of definition for agricultural holdings).
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series

The data in the format required by Eurostat exists from 2004 onwards; in addition some key figures i.e. annual production of all milk types go back to 1960.
8.3. Coherence - cross domain

Not applicable.
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

Not applicable.
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts

Not applicable.
8.6. Coherence - internal

The data are internally consistent.


9. Accessibility and clarity Top
9.1. Dissemination format - News release

No news release accompanies the tables published.
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications

The predifined tables available in Excel format inlcude data up to Decemebr 2022. Data fron January onwards will be availabel only in the CYSTAT-DB Online Database.

https://www.cystat.gov.cy/en/KeyFiguresList?s=28

 

 
9.3. Dissemination format - online database

An online database and a summary table can be found on the website of the Statistical Service of Cyprus for data collected on a monthly basis under the following links:

https://www.cystat.gov.cy/en/KeyFiguresList?s=28

https://cystatdb.cystat.gov.cy/pxweb/en/8.CYSTAT-DB/
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations

A summary table is uploaded on the website of the Statistical Service of Cyprus for data collected, on a monthly basis under the link: https://www.cystat.gov.cy/en/KeyFiguresList?s=28

https://cystatdb.cystat.gov.cy/pxweb/en/8.CYSTAT-DB/

 
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

No microdata access.
9.5. Dissemination format - other

A table in Excel  and px format is uploaded on the website of the Statistical Service of Cyprus. 
9.6. Documentation on methodology

Not available.
9.7. Quality management - documentation

Not available.
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate

Not applicable.
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations

Not applicable.


10. Cost and Burden Top

No cost and burden exercise was elaborated for statistics on milk and milk products.


11. Confidentiality Top
11.1. Confidentiality - policy

Official statistics are released in accordance to all confidentiality provisions of the following:

  • National Official Statistics Law No. 25(I) of 2021 (especially Article 16 on statistical confidentiality).
  • Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics and its later amendments (especially Chapter 5 on statistical confidentiality).
  • European Statistics Code of Practice (especially Principle 5 on statistical confidentiality).
  • CYSTAT's Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data.

Links to all of the above documents can be found:

The treatment of confidential data is regulated by CYSTAT's Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data. https://www.cystat.gov.cy/en/StaticPage?id=1066
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

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

Question on the confidentiality of the data transmitted

Do you have problems with data confidentiality? No
If yes, can you describe them? 


12. Comment Top

No comments.


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top