Total area by species (area in ha)
methods, notes and classification
DATA_DESCR The Orchard surveyádomain (orch) contains the results of the surveys of areas under certain species of fruit trees (apple, pear, peach, apricot, orange, lemon, small citrus fruit). The statistical surveys on orchards are carried out every five yearsáby the Member States in order to determine the production potential of plantations of certain species of fruit trees. These surveys have been carried out since 1977. The results presented in this database provide areas (in hectares) by variety and age and density classes by country and by production region.Data are grouped in tables by fruit tree species. The following species are surveyed: a) apple trees for dessert apples (in theá27 EU member states, except Malta), b) pear trees for dessert pears (in theá27 EU member states, except Estonia,áIreland, Maltaáand Finland), c) peache trees (in Bulgaria, Czech republic,áGreece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta,áAustria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, SloveniaáandáSlovakia only), d) apricot trees (in Bulgaria, Czech republic, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, SloveniaáandáSlovakia only), e) orange trees (in Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus and Portugal only), f) lemon trees (in Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus and Portugal only), g) small-citrus fruit trees (in Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus and Portugal only). The latter group (small-citrus fruit trees, including tangerines and satsumas; clementines, wilkings and other similar citrus hybrids) is considered as a single species. Data on plantations producing apples and pears for uses other than dessert fruit were sent optionally by some countries from 1987 onwards. The species of fruit and the varieties are listed in Annex III to Commission Decision (EC) No 38/2002.
CLASS_SYSTEM The surveys refer to the followingáspecies of fruit trees: apple, pear, peach, apricot, orange, lemon, small citrus fruit. The species of fruit and the varieties are listed in Annex III to Commission Decision (EC) No 38/2002. The statistical classes on the age of the trees are listed in Annex II to Commission decision Decision (EC) No 38/2002. The statistical classes for the net area planted, the number of trees and the density of plantation are listed in Annex IV to Commission Decision (EC) No 38/2002. The geographical classification is related to NUTS with some exceptions. Some countries use NUTS units whilst other - division into production areas (fruit-growing regions). The listáof production areas is given in Annex I toá Commission Decision (EC) No 38/2002.
STAT_CONC_DEF Age of trees is calculated from the time of their planting in the orchard. The planting season, extending from the autumn to the spring, is considered a single period and corresponds to "0" in time. The date of grafting has no influence on the age of the trees. Net area planted - surface solely occupied by trees, in contrary to 'gross area planted' - the total area of the plot. Foráthe areas under associated crops, the surface under the fruit trees is calculated on a "pro rata" basis. Isolated trees (or trees in rows) are not covered. The method of determining plantation density is left up to the Member State, either on the basis of the net area planted and the number of trees or based on tree spacings and the distance between rows.
STAT_UNIT The survey unit is a homogeneous parcel planted with the mentioned fruit tree species.
STAT_POP All agricultural holdings with an area planted with fruit trees (apples, pear, peach, apricot, orange, lemon small-fruited citrus) provided that the fruit produced is entirely or mainly intended for the market.
REF_AREA The surveys are carried out in EU Member States. The 1977 survey covered the EUR 9 countries (DE, FR, IT, NL, BE, LU, UK, IR and DK) ; the 1982 survey covered the EUR 10 (i.e. EUR 9 + EL); the 1987 and 1992 surveys covered the EUR 12 (i.e. EUR 10 + ES and PT); for 1997 and 2002 data is available for EU-15 countries (i.e. EUR 12 + AT, FI and SE), 2007 surveys covered for the first timeáthe EU-27 (i.e EU-15 + BG, CZ, EE, CY, LV, LT, HU, MT, PL, RO, SI, SK). As in certain production areas there are homogeneous climatic and agronomic conditions corresponding to fairly considerable uniformity of fruit yields per hectare - regional breakdown into production zones (related to NUTS classification) is applied. In some countries the production zones differ according to the species - (DE, EL, ES, FR, IT, PT). Other countries (AT, BE, DK, FI, IR, LU, NL, SE, UK) are not divided into production zones. The listáof production areas is given in Annex I toá Commission Decision (EC) No 38/2002.
BASE_PER Not applicable.
UNIT_MEASURE The area is given in hectares.
Methods 
Explanatory Notes 
Variables