NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

In the European Union, basic surveys on the structure of orchards are conducted every five years. They have been conducted since 1979 and are compulsory for all Member States that have 1 000 or more hectares of orchards, provided that the production is mainly intended for the market. This survey is methodologically harmonised with the EU legislation.

The methodology for the basic survey on orchards is based on the Regulation (EU) No 1337/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 concerning European statistics on permanent crops and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 357/79 and Directive 2001/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Source and methods of data collection

Data on areas of intensive orchards under cultivation with certain species of fruits are collected, according to the Eurostat’s methodology, by the basic survey on orchard structure. Data on the area of intensive orchards by fruit species were taken over from the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development. The survey comprised agricultural holdings using 0.2 ha and more of intensive plantations of certain fruit species, provided that the fruit produced is entirely or mainly intended for the market.

Definitions

Orchards are areas planted with fruit trees, which may be pure or mixed plantations. The basic survey on the structure of orchards covered the area of 0.2 ha of certain fruit species and larger, that is, fruit plantations whose production is mainly intended for sale.

Species of fruit trees are groups of fruits with common characteristics that can interbreed. They differ in the time of ripening, ingredients, use and length of use.

Abbreviations

EEC            European Economic Community

EU               European Union

Eurostat       Statistical Office of the European Communities

ha                hectare

Symbols

-      no occurrence