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.
Directory of Agriculture and Environment Statistics, Economic Accounts in Agriculture and Environment Sector
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
St. Vllazën Huta, Building 35, Entrance 1, Tirana, ZIP Code 1017 Tirane
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
23 April 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
23 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
23 July 2025
3.1. Data description
The Material flow Accounts (MFA) are one of the modules of the Environmental Accounts which collects complementary data on environment in line with the concept used to compile the System of National Accounts (SNA).
The Material Flow Accounts (MFA) have the main objective to describe the relationship between the domestic economy and its natural environment. It includes the total amount of natural resources and products used in the economy, either directly in the production and distribution of products and services, or indirectly by extracting the materials that will be used for production.
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA covers solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material;
Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials;
Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil);
Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy;
Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G.
Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I.
3.2. Classification system
EW-MFA record physical flows of materials broken down by type of flow and by type of material.
The type of flow dimension corresponds to the EW-MFA questionnaire reporting tables and derived indicators, namely:
domestic extraction (Table A);
physical imports (Table B);
physical exports (Table D);
domestic processed output (Table F);
balancing items (Table G);
direct material input (indicator);
domestic material consumption (indicator);
physical trade balance (indicator).
The breakdown by type of material employs a classification of materials. This EW-MFA classification of materials is hierarchical with main material flow categories (1-digit level). Each main category is further broken down, maximal down to 4-digit-level:
1-digit: material category;
2-digit: material class;
3-digit: material group;
4-digit: material sub-group.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Environmental Material Flow Accounts provide statistical information on:
Domestic extraction;
Import of environmental materials;
Exports of environmental materials;
Domestic’s material consumption.
The data refer to national economies as defined in the system of national accounts.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Some of the key categories and main indicators of the material flow accounts are:
Biomass
Biomass includes organic non-fossil materials. According to the definitions of the MFA, the materials extracted from natural resources includes all agricultural products, wild fish and hunting animals.
Livestock and livestock products (such as milk, meat, eggs) are not included.
Metal ores and non metalic minerals
Metal ores and non-metallic minerals are two main material groups of the MFA. According to the definitions of the Material Flow Accounts (MFA), those categories consists of minerals obtained in the mining and construction industry.
Fossil energy materials/carriers
Include sources of oil and other fossil energy materials that have been formed in the geological past from biomass. They include solid substances, liquids and gases.
Domestic extraction (DE)
The domestic extraction (DE) includes the amount of materials (excluding water and air) extracted from the environment for the use of economic purposes.
Domestic material consumption (DMC)
The domestic material consumption (DMC) measures the annual amount of materials extracted and used in the national economy, plus all physical imports, excluding all physical exports.
Physical trade balance (PTB)
The physical balance of trade is equal to physical imports minus physical exports.
Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.
3.6. Statistical population
EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country
EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).
Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).
Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.
3.7. Reference area
Material Flow Accounts Statistics cover the entire territory of the Republic of Albania.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are available from 2010 ongoing for:
Domestic extraction;
Domestic material consumption;
Import and export by material flow accounts categories.
3.8.1. Coverage – Time: by questionnaire table
Questionnaire table
From (YEAR)
To (YEAR)
Comments
Domestic extraction (Table A)
2010
2023
These are administrative data
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
2010
2023
These are administrative data
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
2010
2023
These are administrative data
Domestic processed output (Table F)
2010
2023
Data required for Table F are missing. We don’t have data source
Balancing items (Table G)
2010
2023
We don’t have data
Indicators (Table H)
2010
2023
Indicators calculated by the questionnaire from the data in the previous tables
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
2010
2023
Indicators calculated by the questionnaire from the data in the previous tables
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit of measure is thousand tonnes.
The reference period for EW-MFA is 31 December 2023. This report refers to 2023.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The legal basis on which EW-MFA indicators are based consist on:
Material Flow Accounts Statistics are transmitted to EUROSTAT via eDAMIS platform.
Not applicable in national level this information is required at European level only.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Data are considered strictly confidential and are used only for statistical and research purposes based on national Statistical Law No.17/2018 “On Official Statistics”, date 10 March 2018 and on Law No.9887, date 10 March 2008 “Personal Data Protection”. Article 31 on Statistics Law reads as follows: Data collected for the production of official statistics shall be treated by INSTAT as confidential and shall be used only in aggregated tables that will not identify the source information unit. Direct identification means when a statistical unit is directly identified from its name or address or any officially allocated and commonly known identification number. When data processing is made in a manner that allows the identification of the data subject, the data should immediately be encrypted in order for the subjects to be no longer identifiable.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
INSTAT protects and does not disclose what it has collected or has access to, to indicate the possibility of direct or indirect statistical unified identification. INSTAT service intervention appropriate measures to ensure and will not be impossible Identify statistical units through technical means to ensure that they can be used by third parties. All statistics where we can enable statistical unit identification are distributed by INSTAT only if:
a) Possibly Become a Controller of His, The following gives a better assessment of the Regulations, Apply Determination of Such Application, as it does not create prejudice about statistical confidentiality; or
b) The statistical unit has adopted a commitment to creating the city; All confidential to INSTAT only for more statistics and only those who can access it can convict me. Issues and security related to maintaining statistical confidentiality are verified and handled by INSTAT staff. The responsibilities of this staff, you can see the degree of detail that can be distributed and released by INSTAT.
The responsibilities of this staff can be found in more detail: at the most detailed level possible for the dissemination of statistics, so as not to enable direct or indirect identification of the surveyed statistical unit; anonymization criteria for microdata where users can find; use of access for researchers to confirm for scientific uses.
All individual data collected in the statistical unit for the production of official statistics are used only for statistical purposes. These data are published jointly and are not used to make any administrative decision, including decisions on fiscal control or legal investigations.
8.1. Release calendar
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website. The announcements and delays are preannounced in this calendar. In the case of delays, the date of the next publication and the explanation of the reasons for the delays are specified.
In accordance with article 34 of Law No. 17/2018 "On Official Statistics", official statistics are disseminated so that all users have an immediate and equal right and all possible forms of media are used. INSTAT and statistical agencies, having in the program the responsibilities of dissemination, seek to meet every requirement of any organization or individual for unpublished data or specific analysis. The following dissemination channels are used to release the results:
Data request, section available for external users.
Environmental Material Flow Accounts statistics are published on annual basis.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The press release contains information on key indicators such as: biomass, Metal ores and non-metallic minerals, Fossil energy materials/carriers, etc.
The format of press release is defined by publication sector as well as the date of release. Press releases of Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts are published online at INSTATs website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Results for Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts are published on the INSTAT website:
All the information is available in both Albanian and English language. Since 2011, the information is provided to external users in web through the Pc-Axis system. A short methodological explanation exists also in the web page. You can access the database from the main page of Instat (Home | Instat)
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Databases at micro level are not published due to confidentiality reasons. Aggregated data is the only type of data that is provided to external users. Even the micro data are not published they can be accessed based on the article 34 of Law No. 17/2018, "On Official Statistics".
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Users can send other specific requests through a dedicated section for Contacts
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
A short explanation related to the definitions of the main concepts and methodological explanations are provided to users in the end of press releases and publications. Additional support information is given to internal users when needed or required. Also the Methodological on Environmental Material Flow Accounts notes are published at INSTAT’s website.
The methodology of the Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts is based on Eurostat manuals and regulations, which contains a comprehensive set of recommendations on the compilation of the Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts statistics indicators.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Economic Accounts for Agriculture and Environment documents all processes and procedures used for calculations related to Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts for internal purposes.
11.1. Quality assurance
INSTAT is committed to ensure the highest quality with respect to the compilation of statistical information. In accordance with the Statistics Law, INSTAT use statistical methods and processes in compliance with internationally recognized scientific principles and standards conduct ongoing analyses of the statistics with a view to quality improvements and ensure that statistics are as up to-date. In performing its tasks, it follows the general principles of quality management from the European Statistics Code of Practice. INSTAT declares that it takes into account the following principles: impartiality, quality of processes and products, user orientation, employee orientation, effectiveness of statistical processes, reducing the workload for respondents. Quality controls and validation of data are actions carried out throughout the process. The staffs is involved in different stages of index calculation, such as the data collection, data control, data input and other necessary control are all well trained. This helps the staff to know the enterprises and their responsibilities and keep an updated collaboration.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts data are compared with the data of the previous years in order to distinguish if the data are coherent or they had big changes.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Users on Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts data are as follow:
• Public Administration Institutions;
• Universities;
• Non-profit national and international organizations;
• Businesses;
• Researchers, students and other similar groups.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Page Views (Hits) about “Environmental Accounts” data for 2023 are around 951 clicks.
During 2023, INSTAT conducted the user satisfaction survey. The results of the survey shows that the quality of the theme “Environmental Accounts" was rated 3.97 (79.4%) on a scale of 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good).
Completeness of “Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” data is judged by comparing the quality and quantity of indicators covered by INSTAT with those of the regulations followed. The degree of completeness of the “Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” data, for 2021 will be calculated by EUROSTAT.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Overall, data is checked with te previous year to identify some important change on the data. In the case has been a chance, INSTAT notifies the relevant institutions and sector inside INSTAT to put to knowledge of the changes that had been found to realize the correction of this data.
The data are compiled from a big range of data source, (for example agriculture, forest and fishing statistics, production statistics, geological observation, energy statistics, foreign commerce statistics ect .). The general accuracy is considered good.
Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Information on EW-MFA is published approximately 16 months after the end of the reference month according to the predetermined date in the INSTAT publication calendar.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
The results of EW-MFA Statistics are published on the INSTAT website, 493 days after the end of the reference period (T + 493 dd).
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
The data of EW-MFA Statistics are published based on the publication calendar. The publication of EW-MFA has been punctual in 100% of the publications made over the years.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable because physical imports and exports as recorded in EW-MFA are not specified by origin and/or destination.
15.2. Comparability - over time
“Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” Statistics date back to 2010 referring to the statistical database providing a comparability over time of 15 years (CC2=Jlast-Jfirst+1=15).
The data are constantly checked to ensure their comparability over time.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
15.2.1.1. Comparability - over time detailed
Please use below table for explaining b)-flags (breaks in time series):
Year (of the break in series)
Questionnaire table(s)
MF-code(s)
Reason for' break in time series'
All years
All tables
No break in time series
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable.
The staff involved in the preparation of “Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” Statistics are two employees at INSTAT headquarters, in Economic Accounts in Agriculture and Environment sector.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Revision policy is done in accordance with general revision policy and errors treatment policy introduced by INSTAT in the links below:
In the event that local authorities that send information on EW-MFA to INSTAT will report changes this information will be updated and published in the next month's publication accompanied by an explanatory note to the user.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
18.1. Source data
For statistics on “Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” INSTAT uses information provided by:
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD);
National Agency of Natural Resources (NANR);
Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA).
Different statistical surveys run by INSTAT.
18.1.1. Source data - Table A, B, D, F and G
Please use Annex 1 to report the detailed data sources for questionnaire tables A, B, D, F and G.
Calculates it automatically from the questionnaire.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
“Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” data are collected on annual basis.
18.3. Data collection
Data on “Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” are administrative data. Statistical information on Material Flow Accounts is collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the National Agency of Natural Resources (NANR) Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA) and the sectors inside Institute of Statistics (INSTAT).
18.4. Data validation
The data were subjected to logical and mathematical checks. These checks are performed throughout the data processing process for all indicators that INSTAT publishes. Examples of administrative data verification methods include:
Completeness check;
consistency over time;
arithmetic corrections (should not be too high);
summary checks;
time series check if there are large deviations, etc.
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable. Coverage is comprehensive at country level, data is administrative and statistical information is always available, so data evaluation is not needed.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.5.2. Estimation approaches for specific items
Please use Annex 2 to describe estimation approaches for specific items.
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
Not applicable.
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
Not applicable.
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
Not applicable.
18.5.6. Significant problems
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
The Material flow Accounts (MFA) are one of the modules of the Environmental Accounts which collects complementary data on environment in line with the concept used to compile the System of National Accounts (SNA).
The Material Flow Accounts (MFA) have the main objective to describe the relationship between the domestic economy and its natural environment. It includes the total amount of natural resources and products used in the economy, either directly in the production and distribution of products and services, or indirectly by extracting the materials that will be used for production.
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA covers solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material;
Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials;
Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil);
Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy;
Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G.
Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I.
23 July 2025
Some of the key categories and main indicators of the material flow accounts are:
Biomass
Biomass includes organic non-fossil materials. According to the definitions of the MFA, the materials extracted from natural resources includes all agricultural products, wild fish and hunting animals.
Livestock and livestock products (such as milk, meat, eggs) are not included.
Metal ores and non metalic minerals
Metal ores and non-metallic minerals are two main material groups of the MFA. According to the definitions of the Material Flow Accounts (MFA), those categories consists of minerals obtained in the mining and construction industry.
Fossil energy materials/carriers
Include sources of oil and other fossil energy materials that have been formed in the geological past from biomass. They include solid substances, liquids and gases.
Domestic extraction (DE)
The domestic extraction (DE) includes the amount of materials (excluding water and air) extracted from the environment for the use of economic purposes.
Domestic material consumption (DMC)
The domestic material consumption (DMC) measures the annual amount of materials extracted and used in the national economy, plus all physical imports, excluding all physical exports.
Physical trade balance (PTB)
The physical balance of trade is equal to physical imports minus physical exports.
Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').
Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.
EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country
EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).
Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).
Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.
Material Flow Accounts Statistics cover the entire territory of the Republic of Albania.
The reference period for EW-MFA is 31 December 2023. This report refers to 2023.
Overall, data is checked with te previous year to identify some important change on the data. In the case has been a chance, INSTAT notifies the relevant institutions and sector inside INSTAT to put to knowledge of the changes that had been found to realize the correction of this data.
The data are compiled from a big range of data source, (for example agriculture, forest and fishing statistics, production statistics, geological observation, energy statistics, foreign commerce statistics ect .). The general accuracy is considered good.
Not applicable. Coverage is comprehensive at country level, data is administrative and statistical information is always available, so data evaluation is not needed.
For statistics on “Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” INSTAT uses information provided by:
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD);
National Agency of Natural Resources (NANR);
Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA).
Different statistical surveys run by INSTAT.
Environmental Material Flow Accounts statistics are published on annual basis.
Information on EW-MFA is published approximately 16 months after the end of the reference month according to the predetermined date in the INSTAT publication calendar.
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
“Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts” Statistics date back to 2010 referring to the statistical database providing a comparability over time of 15 years (CC2=Jlast-Jfirst+1=15).
The data are constantly checked to ensure their comparability over time.
