| Category: | Economic statistics |
| Area: | Agriculture and fishing |
| Survey / data collection: | Organic production statistics |
| MONSTAT metadata |
|---|
| Reference metadata |
| 1. Contact |
| 2. Metadata update |
| 3. Statistical presentation |
| 4. Unit of measure |
| 5. Reference period |
| 6. Institutional mandate |
| 7. Confidentiality |
| 8. Release policy |
| 9. Frequency of dissemination |
| 10. Accessibility and clarity |
| 11. Quality management |
| 12. Relevance |
| 13. Accuracy and reliability |
| 14. Timeliness and punctuality |
| 15. Coherence and Comparability |
| 17. Data revision |
| 18. Statistical processing |
| 19. Comment |
Note: For any question on metadata, please contact MONSTAT metadata support.
| 1. Contact Vrh | |
| 1.1. Contact organization: | Statistical Office of Montenegro - MONSTAT |
| 1.2. Contact organization unit: | Department of Agricultural Statistics |
| 1.2. Contact organization unit: | IV Proleterske br 2 |
| 2. Metadata update Top | |
| 2.1. Metadata last certified: | 19 December 2025 |
| 2.2. Metadata last posted: | 24 December 2025 |
| 2.3. Metadata last update: | 19 December 2025 |
| 3. Statistical presentation Top | |
| 3.1. Data description: | Organic farming can be defined as a method of production which places the highest emphasis on environmental protection and, it is as a part of a sustainable farming system and a viable alternative to the more traditional approaches to agriculture. The collected statistics cover the following data: -Certified registered organic operators (referring to their main or secondary activity) (expressed in number of operators), - Certified registered organic processors who manufacture organic products (as their main or secondary activity) (expressed in number of processors). - Certified organic crop area (under conversion and fully converted) (expressed in hectares), - Certified organic crop production from fully converted area (expressed in 1 000 kg), - Certified organic livestock (expressed in heads of live animals), - Production of certified organic products of animal origin (expressed in 1 000 kg of carcass weight and in thousand eggs), - Production of certified organic milk products (Produced on farms or Processed on farms or by dairy enterprises) and Honey and products of bee-keeping (expressed in 1 000 kg of products obtained), |
| 3.2. Classification system: | Detailed information on the classification used in organic production data collection can be found in the Organic production statistics handbook - 2023 edition. Organic production concepts are expected to be coherent with the following classifications (or latest classifications): -Organic production (Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and its delegated regulations and implementing regulations) -Crop statistics (Regulation (EC) No 543/2009 and Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/1557) -Livestock and meat statistics (Regulation (EC) No 1165/2008) -Milk and milk products (Commission Decision 97/80/EC implementing Council Directive 96/16/EC) -Statistics on eggs for consumption ESSC agreement (ESSC 2017/35/8 - 16.11.2017) -Honey (Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to honey) -Aquaculture (Regulation (EU) No 508/2014and Regulation (EC) No 762/2008 -NACE classification. Data are reported according to the type of operator: All operators - Agricultural producers - Agricultural producers which are also processors - Agricultural producers which are also importers - Agricultural producers ? others (n.e.c.) - Aquaculture producers - Producers of aquatic plants - Processors - Processors which are also importers - Processors ? other (n.e.c.) - Importers - Exporters - Other operators - Other operators ? traders - Other operators ? traders ? w holesalers - Other operators ? traders ? retailers - Other operators n.e.c. Those operators which conduct several activities are accounted for in each relevant category. |
| 3.3. Sector coverage: | A-Agriculture, forestry, and fishery The data cover all different types of operators involved in the organic sector (production, process or transformation, import, others). |
| 3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions: | According to Regulation (EU) 2018/848, ?organic production? means the use, including during the conversion period referred to in Article 10, of production methods that comply with the Regulation at all stages of production, preparation and distribution. ?Organic product? means a product resulting from organic production, other than a product produced during the conversion period referred to in Article 10. The products of hunting or fishing of wild animals are not considered as organic products. Organic production is the production of agricultural and other products based on the application of organic production methods in all stages of production, preparation and distribution, in accordance with the Law on Organic Production. Organic agriculture represents a system of sustainable agriculture, largely based on local resources, which maintains ecological balance and minimizes the negative impact of agriculture on the environment. It also implies coordinated production with the law and standards defined conditions with the control of the entire production cycle by the authorized organization for certification - Monteorganica. |
| 3.5. Statistical unit: | Operator certified organic. According to Regulation (EU) 2018/848, ?operator? means the natural or legal person responsible for ensuring that the Regulation is complied with at every stage of production, preparation and distribution under that person?s control. Administrative data source is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management (Directorate of Agriculture), which previously received the data from the certification body ?Monteorganica?, in accordance with the Law on Organic Production (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 56/2013). The data are in accordance with EU Regulation 834/2007, and EU Regulation 889/2008 as well as with the new ESS Agreement on organic production statistics, which was approved by the ESSC on February 12, 2020, and entered into force on January 1, 2022. |
| 3.6. Statistical population: | All operators involved in the organic sector. All organic producers which are present in the Register of Organic Production Entities under the competence of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, are covered by this survey. |
| 3.7. Reference area: | Montenegro |
| 3.8. Time coverage: | 2016 - 2024 |
| 3.9. Base period: | Not applicable. |
| 4. Unit of measure Top | |
| -Certified registered organic operators (referring to their main or secondary activity) (expressed in number of operators) -Certified registered organic processors who manufacture organic products (as their main or secondary activity) (expressed in number of processors) -Certified organic crop area (under conversion and fully converted) (expressed in hectares) Certified organic crop production from fully converted area (expressed in 1 000 kg) -Certified organic livestock (expressed in heads of live animals) -Production of certified organic products of animal origin (expressed in 1 000 kg of carcass weight and in thousand eggs) -Production of certified organic milk products (Produced on farms or Processed on farms or by dairy enterprises) and Honey and products of bee-keeping (expressed in 1 000 kg of products obtained) | |
| 5. Reference period Top | |
| Calendar year. The reference period is the calendar year N, starting on 1 January N and finishing on 31 December N. | |
| 6. Institutional mandate Top | |
| 6.1. Legal acts and other agreements: | The Law on Official Statistics and Official Statistical System (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 18/12, 47/19) defines provisions for collection, processing, and dissemination of data. https://www.monstat.org/cg/page.php?id=4&pageid=4 . The Law provides to the Statistical Office legal powers to collect and access the data necessary for the implementation of Programme and Annual Plan. The Law gives a priority to the use of administrative data and right of access to individual data that are a result of survey of other official statistical producers. As an annex to legal provisions, Statistical Office has signed several memorandum on cooperation with administrative data providers.(agreement on cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management from June 2013). The new EU legislative framework (SAIO) is in the process of being established, so that in organic statistics the previous EU Reg 834/2007, which provides the legal basis for the annual collection of organic production statistics, is repealed. EU Reg 2018/848 of the European Parliament and the Council on organic production and labeling of organic products becomes applicable (it does not contain a legal basis for the collection of agricultural statistics). As a bridge between the previous and new legislation until the adoption of the SAIO regulation, the ESS Agreement on Organic Production Statistics, approved by the ESSC on February 12, 2020, entered into force on January 1, 2022. The agreement covers the annual collection of statistical data on organic production, previously established in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 834/2007. The agreement will remain operational until the SAIO enters into force. The ESS agreement regulates the collection of organic agriculture statistics, which Monstat will also work on in 2025 for 2024, namely: - Organic farming operators - Organic livestock production - Organic plant production - Operators and producers of organic business (outside agriculture). |
| 6.2. Data sharing: | Administrative data source is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management (Directorate of Agriculture), which previously received the data from the certification body ?Monteorganica?, in accordance with the Law on Organic Production (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 56/2013). |
| 7. Confidentiality Top | |
| 7.1. Confidentiality - policy: | Articles 53-60 of the Law on Official Statistics and Official Statistical System (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 18/12, 47/19) provide a framework for protection, use, and transmission of confidential data. MONSTAT has produced two comprehensive rulebooks that cover the procedures for individual data protection as well as keeping individual records. With purpose of the meeting legal framework on functioning of security system and statistical confidentiality there was adopted the Rulebook on Keeping Statistical Data by which Manner, Time, Technical Conditions and Organization of Statistical Data Storage to Prevent Their Destroying, Misappropriation, and Unauthorized Use is Regulated as well as the Rulebook on Contents and Manner of Keeping Records on Users of Individual Statistical Data by which contents and manner of keeping records on users of individual statistical data is regular. Pursuant to the Article 59, an access to the confidential data is limited to persons performing duties and tasks of official statistical producer and up to the stage the data are necessary for official statistical production. Persons that performs duties and tasks within official statistical producers must sign the statement on respecting the principle of confidentiality. Law on Official Statistics and Official Statistical System is aligned with the Regulation No 223/2009 and the Regulation (EU) 2015/759 from 29 April 2015 that also regulate confidentiality provisions. The Government of Montenegro adopted the Statement on Commitment of Confidence in Official Statistics (Commitment of Confidence). |
| 7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment: | Provisions the Law on Official Statistics and System of Official Statistics shall refer to data provided by reporting units, but also to data collected from other sources for needs of official statistics from the moment of their delivery to official statistics producers. Data collected, processed, and stored for purpose of official statistics shall be considered confidential if they allow reporting units to be identified, either directly or indirectly. Individual data may be used only for statistical purposes and presented in cumulative (aggregated) form, in accordance with provisions of this Law. Statistical Office of Montenegro may provide, upon written request, individual statistical data, without identifiers, to scientific-research institutions for purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities as well as to international statistical organizations and statistics producers from other countries. Official statistics producers shall be obliged to take all measures of administrative, technical or organizational nature required for protection of confidential data against illegal access, disclosure or use. Aggregated data for which there are reasons for confidentiality (due to a small number of units, rules of indirect identification), are treated and considered as confidential and therefore not published. Data for the use of which reporting units gave the explicit approval shall not be considered confidential. |
| 8. Release policy Top | |
| 8.1. Release calendar: | The Law on Official Statistics and Official Statistical System (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 18/12, 47/19) stipulates that official statistical producers prepare, update, and publish Statistical Release Calendar. It is published on the website of Statistical Office not later than 20 December for the next year, for all official statistical producers that includes date of releasing statistical data. Any change in date of releasing in the Calendar is published in advance in accordance with the Procedure on Unplanned Revisions. Monstat disseminates the data after their Eurostat validation. |
| 8.2. Release calendar - access: | http://www.monstat.org/cg/page.php?id=12&pageid=12 |
| 8.3. User access: | Based on the Statistical Release Calendar, users are informed in advance of the release dates on which the producers of official statistics have committed to publish statistics.General aim of official statistical producer is to meet the needs of users, and to make an access to statistical data to users in an understandable manner, simultaneously and under the same conditions. Statistical Office is obliged to produce and disseminate official statistics in objective, transparent and professional manner, so that all users are equally treated. |
| 9. Frequency of dissemination Top | |
| The data are published once a year and are available on the website of the Statistics Authority from June 30. The survey on organic production statistics was included for the first time as a regular for 2022 in the Annual Plan of Official Statistics ("Official Gazette of Montenegro", No. 2/2022 of 12 January 2022"), when the data for the year 2021. In March 2023, the Statistical Office published the final data for the series of data for the period 2016-2020, which were previously submitted to Eurostat as preliminary and protected. | |
| 10. Accessibility and clarity Top | |
| 10.1. News release: | Data are published according to a realase calendar and are available at the same time to all users on the official website on MONSTAT. The data is not published through a press release, but only through the Excel table on the official website. Also, the data are available in the Statistical Yearbook of the Statistical Office of Montenegro. |
| 10.2. Publications: | All publications published by the Statistical Office are available at the following link: https://www.monstat.org/cg/publikacije.php?id=100 |
| 10.3. Online database: | https://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=1797&pageid=1797 |
| 10.4. Micro-data access: | The Law on Official Statistics and Official Statistical System (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 018/12 and 047/19), Article 58. regulates rules under which external users can obtain an access to individual data for needs of research. No micro-data is disseminated. |
| 10.5. Other: | The required tables are prepared for the needs of Eurostat, while other users use the tables from the website in Monstat (table format from the website). |
| 10.6. Documentation on methodology: domain: | Instructions on the methodology for this survey can be found on our website at the following link: https://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=1797&pageid=1797. In the statistical yearbook can find a short methodology on the basis of which data are produced. Data production is based on recommendations that are in line with EU Regulation 1165/2008, which regulates livestock breeding surveys. |
| 10.7. Quality documentation: | The Law on Official Statistics and the Official Statistical System ("Official Gazette of Montenegro" No. 18/12 and 47/19) defines the commitment to quality, which ensures that producers of official statistics in Montenegro work and cooperate in accordance with international principles of quality of the statistical system. In accordance with the ESS Quality Declaration, Article 338 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, Regulations 759/2015 and 223/2009 and the European Statistics Code of Practice, the following documents are adopted: 1. Quality Strategy of the Statistical Office 2. Guide for the implementation of the Quality Strategy in the Statistical Office; 3. Implementation plan |
| 11. Quality management Top | |
| 11.1. Quality assurance: | The Quality Management System of the Statistical Office relies on the European Statistics Code of Practice and the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM), which symbolize a common framework for the quality of the European Statistical System. Development Strategy of Official Statistics 2024-2028 is a five-year strategic document in area of official statistics of Montenegro adopted in line with Article 20 of the Law on Official Statistics and Official Statistical System (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 18/12 and 47/19). This secondary legislation represents a development framework of Montenegro statistical system which determines strategic objective, vision, mission, and long-term operative objectives for the development of Montenegro statistical system. The Quality Management Strategy is available on web site https://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=7&pageid=7 . The quality of the data is assured in the following way: Monstat transmit all data about organic production, which in turn are verified by Eurostat. |
| 11.2. Quality assesment: | One of the criteria for checking quality data is through a comparative analysis of monthly data with the same month of the previous year, as well as with the previous month, as well as with the data from administrative source and the Monteorganica certification body |
| 12. Relevance Top | |
| 12.1. User needs: | International users: - Eurostat, - World Bank, - UN organizations, - International Monetary Fund National users: - Ministries and other public administration bodies, - Local government and other local government bodies. - Central bank, - Non-governmental organizations, - Students, - Researchers, - Media. |
| 12.2. User satisfaction: | The Statistical Office has adopted the Quality Management Strategy, the Guidebook to the Implementation of the Quality Management Strategy, as well as the Plan for the Implementation of the Quality Policy. In order to measure the degree to which fulfills obligations towards users and within the new quality policy, the Statistical Office conducted User satisfaction survey. The results of the survey are available on the Statistical Office website, link: http://monstat.org/uploads/files/2.%20Izvjestaj%20o%20zadovoljstvu%20korisnika%20ENG%20(Autosaved).pdf |
| 12.3. Completeness: | International and national requirements are met. Data on organic production are in line with the ESS Agreement . Montenegro deliver organic production data on a voluntary basis. For ME data are available only from 2016-onwards. |
| 13. Accuracy and reliability Top | |
| 13.1. Overall accuracy: | Administrative source, full coverage. Data is subject to common types of input error, processing error, and non-response. In addition, in the creation of these data, the data of the certification body Monteorganika (ST) were used, which are submitted to the competent authority - MoA in the form of an annual report. In order to provide the most accurate reporting and creation of data on organic production in Montenegro, it was agreed in the Working Group that in the coming period, in addition to the annual report with the associated tables of ST Monteorganika, an Excel table containing data created by the Directorate for Payments based on SIZEP will be used. a, supplemented with data from ST Monteorganika. Also, a table will be used to create data, which will be sent by the MoA to the control body, which is harmonized with Eurostat''''s tables. As well as the table that is in accordance with the Supplement of data by Monteorganica, it includes data that the Directorate does not have for payment, as well as data that are not in the records of ST, but were entered by the Directorate. This is information about: - areas smaller than 1000 m2, - areas that were not surveyed by the Directorate, - newly registered producers, - about the production registered by the directorate, which is not in the certification process at ST Monteorganika and others. |
| 13.2. Sampling error: | Not relevant. It is not applicable for organic statistics, because data collection is not based on samples, but covers the entire statistical population. |
| 13.3. Non-sampling error: | Not relevant |
| 14. Timeliness and punctuality Top | |
| 14.1. Timeliness: | Data publication deadline: until June 30, 2025 for the previous year |
| 14.2. Punctuality: | There is no time lag between the actual data submission and the target date. All data are published in accordance with the scheduled publication date. |
| 15. Coherence and Comparability Top | |
| 15.1. Comparability - geographical: | The data are fully comparable. This research is in accordance with the ESS Agreement on organic production statistics. |
| 15.2. Comparability over time: | Data from the organic production statistics are fully comparable over time and are available from 2017 to 2023 on the MONSTAT website in the Data section, link:https://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=1797&pageid=1797 |
| 15.3. Coherence - cross domain: | Data from the agricultural census and related intermediate structure surveys or the annual crops statistics can be used for cross-checking purposes. A comparison of the two data sources regarding organic farming growth rate shows that both sources are broadly comparable when analysing the trend of the organic farming growth , no matter to differences in the published data. |
| 15.4. Coherence - internal: | Not applicable |
| 17. Data revision Top | |
| 17.1. Data revision - policy: | Statistical Office has adopted the revision policy and it is available on the website. http://www.monstat.org/eng/page.php?id=1411&pageid=1411 |
| 17.2. Data revision - practice: | Not relevant |
| 18. Statistical processing Top | |
| 18.1. Source data: | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoA). The data is based on external administrative data sources. |
| 18.2. Frequency of data collection: | The periodicity of data collection is annual |
| 18.3. Data collection: | Administrative data source the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management (Directorate of Agriculture), which previously received the data from the certification body ?Monteorganica?, in accordance with the Law on Organic Production (Official Gazette of Montenegro No 56/2013). Data are collected by certification bodie and reported through the harmonised template for data collection via eDamis, one Excel template composed of seven worksheets. |
| 18.6. Adjustment: | Not applicable for organic statistics, because the reported data covers the whole year. |
| 19. Comment Top | |
