Field Crop Production

Field Crop Production consists of nine sets of statistics that cover field crop harvest yields and cultivation areas, on-farm use and stocks, trade and industry purchases, and use and stocks of cereals.

Production

The Crop Production Statistics contain production volumes for Finland’s major field crops. Data is collected annually in October as a sample survey of farmers. An advance estimate is published at the end of November and the final statistics are completed by the end of February. Harvest yields are presented by Employment and Economic Development Centre. Data is available from the 1920s onwards.

The Preliminary Crop Production Statistics forecasts production of Finland’s major field crops at the end of the growing season. Estimates are drawn up twice during the growing season and are based on local estimates supplied by experts at ProAgria Rural Advisory Centres. The first harvest estimate shows the situation on 15 July and the second the situation on 25 August.

The Organic Production Statistics contain the harvest yield for Finland’s major field crops produced on certified organic land. Data is collected every 1–2 years using a sample survey of farmers. Certified organic land produces 2% of Finland’s grain harvest.

Use and Stocks

The Use of Crops on Farms statistics illustrate the use, purchase and on-farm stocks of cereals and potatoes. Data is collected twice a year using a sample survey of farms. In addition to cereal and potato consumption, the statistics also show purchases and sales, that is, a farm’s balance sheet.

The Food Potato Storage Statistics contain information on the on-farm stocks of food and processed food potatoes. Data is collected as a sample survey of 400 farms that have a total of over two hectares under food or processed food potatoes. The survey is carried out twice a year, on 15 October and 15 January.

Data for the Statistics on Cereals Purchased, Used and Stockpiled by Industry and Trade is collected from all enterprises that buy and use cereals in Finland. Cereal purchases from farms illustrate the cereal volumes that are transferred from farms to trade and industry. Industrial cereal use follows the use of cereals as foodstuffs, as feed, and for other purposes. Cereal stocks illustrate the volume of cereal in storage, which is recorded twice a year.

The Cereals Balance Sheet analyses the ability of Finnish cereal producers to produce sufficient cereal to meet domestic demand. It is a total calculation compiled in the form of a balance sheet and illustrates – by harvest year – the production, changes in stocks, imports and exports of cereals, as well as their domestic use in various sectors. The statistics collate data from a variety of sources.

Cultivation Areas

The annual Utilised Agricultural Area statistics are completed in November. Two advance estimates are published in June. The statistics illustrate the cultivation areas of Finland’s most important field crops by group – cereals, herbage crops, other field crops, fallow land, and arable land put to other uses.

The Estimated Area Sown To Winter Crops statistics are published annually in December. They contain the areas of winter rye and winter wheat sown during the autumn of that year, as well as the direct seeding percentage of the total area sown. The data is based on a sample survey of farmers. The final areas under winter wheat and rye are confirmed the following June, when they are published in the Utilised Agricultural Area statistics.