The main source of agricultural statistics are the
farm structure surveys carried out at regular intervals; they provide
a realistic picture of structural conditions in Austria’s agriculture
and forestry, and yield results which can also be compared across the
EU. Such data is needed not only for examining both the causes of, and
the background to, structural change in this important economic sector,
but also for drawing conclusions for the future.
The data from the farm structure survey and the structural
and area data on arable land, vineyards, horticultural farms, field
vegetable farms and commercial fruit plantations provides one of the
main foundations for determining the production of vegetable produce
(field crops, fruit, vegetables and wine). For the economy and politics,
the data is also essential to agricultural policy decisions at national
and international levels.