Quality description of producer prices for fish statistics

Compiler: Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), starting from 1 January 2015. Previously, the statistics was compiled by the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (RKTL).

Basis of the statistics: The statistics are compiled based on the Act on the Natural Resources Institute Finland (561/2014), the act on food and natural resource statistics (562/2014) and the Statistics Act (280/2004). The obligation to collect data on producer prices is also required in Regulation (EC) No 1921/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the submission of statistical data on landings of fishery products in Member States, as well as in the EU programme for the collection of data in the fisheries sector (Regulation (EU) 2017/1004).

Funding for the statistics: Funding for the statistics is provided from Luke’s assets and from the EU programme for the collection of data in the fisheries sector.

1. Relevance of statistical data 

1.1. Data content and purpose of use 

The statistics presents the prices paid to professional fishermen in the coastal area of Finland during the statistical year. The data is given by species, size class, month and area. In addition, the statistics lists the monthly producer prices for vendace caught in inland water areas and for rainbow trout and whitefish farmed throughout the country.  The information is used, for instance, for determining the value of primary production of fisheries and in economic monitoring and studies. The producer prices are given excluding VAT.

1.2.  Concepts and classifications 

The terms used for Baltic herring in these statistics have been harmonised with the European practice. ‘Baltic herring for human consumption’ comprises Baltic herring sold in Finland and exported for human consumption, while ‘Baltic herring for industrial use’ comprises Baltic herring for purposes other than human consumption. In Finland, ‘Baltic herring for industrial use’ is sold for use in fish farming and as feed for fur animals.

Starting from 2021, the size class of Baltic herring in the statistics has been modified in accordance with the European Council Regulation (EC) 2406/96:

• Baltic herring 3, 9–11 fish/kg
• Baltic herring 4b, 12–27 fish/kg (south of 59ᵒ30′)
• Baltic herring 4c, 12–17 fish/kg (north of 59ᵒ30′)
• Baltic herring 5, 18–32 fish/kg (north of 59ᵒ30′)
• Baltic herring 6, 33–44 fish/kg (north of 59ᵒ30′)
• Baltic herring 7a, 28–44 fish/kg (from Estonian or Latvian waters)
• Baltic herring 7b, 45–70 fish/kg (from Estonian or Latvian waters)

Size classes for Baltic herring in use up to the year 2021 were based on the regulation on handling fresh fish before delivery to consumers or further processing (25.5.1984/410, repealed on 1 January 2016). The size classes used up to the year 2021:

• Baltic herring 000, 8–11 fish/kg
• Baltic herring 00, 12–17 fish/kg
• Baltic herring 0, 18–24 fish/kg
• Baltic herring I, 25–32 fish/kg
• Baltic herring II, 33–44 fish/kg
• Baltic herring III, 45–60 fish/kg

In the case of other species, size class-specific prices are presented for European whitefish and perch. For salmon, size class-specific prices are presented up to the year 2021.

The prices of marine area fish are given for five areas: four coastal areas and Åland. The coastal areas follow the regional division of the fisheries units of the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) in force prior to 2015, but the ELY Centres for Lapland and Kainuu and the ELY Centres for Uusimaa and Southeast Finland are presented together. Also the price for vendace caught in inland water areas is also given up to the year 2018.

1.3. Scope of research and reporting periods 

The statistics monitors the prices paid to professional fishermen and fish farmers. The reporting enterprises include the largest companies in the central register for commercial fishery that purchase fish from the coastal areas of Finland. The producer prices are given excluding VAT. The prices for farmed rainbow trout and European whitefish are collected by the Finnish Fish Farmers’ Association and are based on the notifications made by fish farmers.

1.4. Users’ viewpoints 

Feedback from users is monitored and taken into account when developing the statistics. Structural changes in the industry are also considered in the development of the statistics. It is ensured that the content of the statistics and the usability of data fulfil the needs of international statistics.

2. Accuracy and reliability of data 

2.1. Research method 

Starting at the beginning of 1995, the first-hand commercial buyers of species regulated through fishing quotas have been obliged to make purchase notifications under the EU (Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011). Notifications are made for each batch of fish to the fisheries units of the relevant ELY Centre or the Provincial Government of Åland within 48 hours of purchase. Purchase notifications are recorded in the national central register for commercial fishery. Species covered by fishing quotas in Finland include salmon, Baltic herring, sprat and cod. The price information for these species is calculated from the purchase notifications submitted. In principle, this represents a census of the population of fish wholesalers.

The price information for species other than those covered by quotas is calculated from samples of purchasing information given by 20–30 enterprises. At least three companies are included from each coastal area. The prices for farmed rainbow trout and European whitefish are collected by the Finnish Fish Farmers’ Association and are based on the notifications made by fish farmers.

The average prices of fish were calculated as averages weighted with volume purchased. The prices given in the statistical database are nominal prices, while the prices given on the statistics website are additionally provided as real prices converted using the index of consumer prices.

2.2. Sample size and other factors affecting the reliability of the statistics 

The coverage of the sampling is good in the case of economically important species. In general, the fish purchases of companies monitored have covered 95% of the Baltic herring catches landed in Finland. As for the perch, pike, pike perch and salmon catches of professional fishermen, the sampling in the statistics has accounted for over 50% of the catch. The data collection concerning farmed rainbow trout and European whitefish covered the bulk of the amount produced. As for other species, such as cyprinids, the coverage of the sample has been less extensive.

The companies under price monitoring for non-quota species represent large or medium-sized companies with a considerable share of the total fish trade. The price paid by smaller companies may differ from that paid by the biggest companies, which may affect average prices at regional level. Direct sale by fishermen is excluded from the statistical data. According to a research carried out in 2007, fishermen fetched a higher price for fresh and gutted salmon sold through direct sale than for salmon sold to wholesale traders. According to the research, the impact of direct sales on the average producer price of salmon amounted to +13%.

2.3. Data protection 

Unit-level data are protected as required in the Statistics Act so that original unit-level data cannot be derived from the statistical data. The price information is calculated on the basis of the price information submitted by several companies and so that no individual company accounts for a significant large share of the total volume of the catch.

3. Publication and contents of the data 

3.1. Publication 

The information is issued for the calendar year preceding the publication year. The information given concerns outturn data. The statistics publication date will be announced in Luke’s release calendar at https://stat.luke.fi/en/releasecalendar.

3.2. Classifications used and comparability 

Producer prices for fish have been collected by sampling purchasing information of fish wholesalers since 1990. Before 1989, the price information was collected from the fishermen selling the fish. Price information has been collected separately for Baltic herring for human consumption and for animal feed, and since 1994 by size class as well.

In the 2004 price statistics, the regional division of the areas monitored was changed to comply with the regional division of the Employment and Economic Development Centres (known as TE-Centres, i.e. current ELY Centres). In previous years, the prices for fish were presented separately for each marine area: the Bothnian Bay, the Bothnian Sea, the Archipelago Sea, Åland and the Gulf of Finland. The regional division change did not have a significant impact on the findings.

Since 2000, the price for rainbow trout has been given for farmed fish. The price for rainbow trout is not comparable with prices presented in statistics before 2000, since before 2000, the calculation method followed that of the other species and was based on the fish wholesalers’ information, which also included rainbow trout caught in the wild.

Significant changes were made to the classification of Baltic herring when the fish prices statistics were compiled in 2000. The previous terms ‘industrial Baltic herring’ and ‘consumption Baltic herring’ correspond to the present ‘Baltic herring for human consumption’, and ‘Baltic herring for industrial use’ is the equivalent of the previous ‘Baltic herring used for feed’.

In the 1997 statistics, the average prices for fish were for the first time presented separately for gutted and/or ungutted fish. In previous years, the average prices had included both ungutted and gutted fish, depending on the content of the batches purchased. The difference between the methods is small, as nearly all species referred to in Decree 410/1984 are delivered to the buyer gutted and other species mainly ungutted.

Starting from 2021, the size class of Baltic herring has been modified in accordance with the European Council Regulation (EC) 2406/96. Size classes in use up to the year 2021 were based on the regulation on handling fresh fish before delivery to consumers or further processing (25.5.1984/410). This regulation was repealed on 1 January 2016 as the new Fishing Act (379/2015) came into force.

Classifications for size classes 4c and 00, as well as classes 6 and 2, are directly comparable. In addition, size class 5 is comparable to size classes 0 and 1, because size class 5 includes both size classes 0 and 1.