1. General

This publication presents a summary of the main developments in agriculture in Israel during 2015–2016. It presents a current overview of the state of agriculture in the country, the purpose of which is to assist decision-makers.

The publication focuses on the divisions Growing of crops and Farming of livestock, and does not include Services for crop growing and Livestock husbandry service activities. In addition, crops output does not include data on gardening.

The publication presents annual data and summarizes, among other things, monthly and quarterly level data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics, with the addition of updates and supplementary data.

The publication is divided into two parts:

1. The agriculture account – an economic account which reflects the changes that have taken place in the industry – covering output, input, domestic product, and profitability of the industry. The value of output is the total value of domestic production plus investments in young plantations. The value of input includes the value of materials and services purchased by the agriculture industry from other industries and from the industry itself (intermediate produce) during the production year.

2. Price indices of agricultural output and input – the indices measure the changes in the prices of agricultural output and input. The output price index is based on the data of the agriculture account for that year.

2. Main Findings

Agriculture Account

In 2016, the value of agricultural output was approximately NIS 29.8 billion (crops – approximately NIS 17.7 billion, and livestock and livestock products – approximately NIS 12.1 billion). The net domestic product (value of agricultural output less purchased input) was approximately NIS 10.8 billion. Compensation and other receipts amounting to approximately NIS 1.3 billion were added to this amount, so that the total income deriving from agriculture was approximately NIS 12.0 billion. Compensation for jobs amounted to approximately NIS 6.0 billion in 2016. After deducting compensation for jobs from the total income deriving from agriculture, the balance available to farmers amounted to approximately NIS 6.0 billion.

( 17 )

1. AGRICULTURE ACCOUNT2016

Crops17.7

Livestockand

livestockproducts

12.1

Purchasedinput16.7

Compensationfor jobs

6.0

Depreciation 2.3

Netdomesticproduct

10.8

Compensationand other receipts

1.3

6.0

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Agricultural outputvalue – total

Input Income originatingin agriculture – total

Balance

NIS

billi

on

Output

In 2016, the overall quantity of agricultural output increased by 3.2% in comparison with 2015. The output of livestock and livestock products, and the output of crops, each increased by 3.2%.

Input

In 2016, the quantity of input (excluding wages) used for producing the agricultural output increased by 2.6%.

The prices of agricultural input (excluding wages) decreased by 2.2%, continuing a decrease of 6.1% in 2015. In 2016, there were many changes in the prices of the components of the input: The price of energy (fuel, lubricants, and electricity) decreased by 10.3%, the price of fertilizers and manures decreased by 7.3%, and the price of fodder decreased by 4.1%. In contrast, the price of water increased by 8.4%; the price of spare parts and repairs increased by 4.5%; and the price of chicks, seeds, and seedlings increased by 1.4%.

In 2016, the terms of trade in agriculture worsened (i.e., the prices of agricultural input increased and the prices of agricultural output decreased). However, there has been no clear trend in changes in the terms of trade in recent years.

In 2016, compensation for jobs increased by 5.1%, and income originating in agriculture increased by 6.2% at current prices, compared with 2015. The balance for farmers (after compensation for jobs) increased by 7.3% compared with 2015.

( 18 )

2.1 Net Domestic Product in Agriculture, 1986–2016

2. NET DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN AGRICULTUREQuantity Indices: 1986=100.0

1986–2016

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Indi

ces

( 19 )

2.2 Agricultural Output, by Industry and PurposeThe value of the agricultural output in 2016 was approximately NIS 29.8 billion. The quantity of agricultural output decreased by 4.0% compared with 2015. The prices of agricultural output decreased very slightly, by 0.8%, resulting from a 1.7% increase in the output value of crops, which was offset by a 4.2% decrease in the output value of livestock and livestock products.

The changes in the output prices of crops included, among other changes, an increase of 6.9% in the prices of fruit (26.8% of the output value), which included an increase of 33.5% in the price of strawberries (1.2% of the output value), an increase of 26.6% in the price of table grapes (2.5% of the output value), an increase of 20.7% in the price of table watermelons (0.7% of the output value), an increase of 19.4% in the price of lemons (1.2% of the output value), and an increase of 11.0% in the price of avocados (2.8% of the output value). In contrast, there was a decrease of 5.7% in the prices of vegetables (14.9% of the output value), which included a decrease of 28.8% in the price of carrots (1.2% of the output value), and a decrease of 13.8% in the price of table tomatoes (2.3% of the output value). In addition, there was a decrease of 15.9% in the price of olives for oil (0.5% of the output value), and a decrease of 14.6% in the price of bananas (1.7% of the output value).

The increase in the value of output from livestock and livestock products derived from, among other causes, a 13.8% decrease in the price of cattle for meat (5.4% of the output value), a 9.2% decrease in the price of cow’s milk (9.2% of the output value), and a 6.4% decrease in the price of goat’s milk (0.3% of the output value). The increase was moderated by a 27.3% increase in the price of goat’s meat (0.3% of the output value) and a 7.6% increase in the price of sheep meat (2.9% of the output value).

Regarding the quantities of crops, there was a slight increase of 1.5% in the total quantity of crops. This consisted of a 6.7% increase in the quantity of fruit and a 1.5% increase in the quantity of vegetables, potatoes, and melons. The increase was moderated by decreases in the quantities of field crops (6.6%) and flowers (22.9%).

There was an increase of 7.8% in the output of livestock. This consisted of a 24.0% increase in the quantity of cattle for meat, an increase of 14.6% in the quantity of table eggs, an increase of 7.7% in the quantity of broilers, and an increase of 6.8% in the quantity of chicks. In contrast, there was a 16.7% decrease in the quantity of honey, an 8.6% decrease in the quantity of fish from fish ponds, and a 6.4% decrease in the quantity of sheep and goat meat.

Of the total agricultural output, 40% was sold for domestic consumption, 36% for industry, 15% for export, and 9% for intermediate produce. Of the crops, 59% of the total output was sold for domestic consumption (a 3% increase compared to 2015), 25% for export (a 2% decrease compared to 2015), 10% for intermediate produce (a 1% decrease compared with 2015), and 6% for industry. Of the livestock and livestock products, 80% of the total product was designated for industry (a 1% decrease compared with 2015), 12% for domestic consumption (a 2% increase compared with 2015), and 8% for intermediate produce.

( 20 )

The value of output designated for domestic consumption increased by 8.3%. The quantity of output for domestic consumption increased by 7.8%, while the prices of output for domestic consumption remained almost unchanged (an increase of 0.5%).

The value of output designated for export decreased by 4.6%, the quantity of output for export decreased by 7.2%, and the prices of output for export increased by 2.7%.

The value of output designated for industry increased by 2.5%, the quantity of output for industry increased by 6.7%, and the prices of output for industry decreased by 4.0%.

The value of output designated for intermediate consumption decreased slightly, by 1.5%, the quantity of output for intermediate consumption decreased by 2.5%, and the prices of output for intermediate consumption increased slightly, by 1.0%.

3. AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT – VALUE, BY INDUSTRY2016

Cattle, sheepand goats

18.5%

Vegetables, potatoes

and melons20.0%

Fruit, excl. citrus

21.6%

Poultry19.6%

Miscellaneous – livestock

2.5%Miscellaneous – crops3.2%

Field crops7.1%

Citrus5.2%

Flowersand garden

plants2.3%

TotalNIS 29,811.9 million

( 21 )

TABLE A: SELECTED CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT,COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEAR

Percentages 2016201520142013Type of Output

1.5-5.81.41.8Crops – total11.2-3.8-1.8-2.1Fruit (excl. citrus)92.3-24.546.5-38.0Mangos39.2-16.824.4-37.5Cherries17.6-8.51.00.1Bananas

1.5-7.51.72.2Vegetables, potatoes, and melons

-7.817.8-5.50.6Peppers-6.6-6.110.420.3Field crops

-23.935.95.8-24.0Cotton-34.823.10.0-12.4Sunflowers

7.8-2.52.40.0Livestock and livestock products – total

13.1-8.90.55.6Cattle24.0-15.9-9.413.5Cattle for meat

7.4-5.86.12.0Cow’s milk7.65.35.2-6.2Poultry8.20.60.8-5.3Chicks for broilers7.73.58.8-8.1Broilers

-5.9-9.45.53.3Sheep and goats-3.0-13.812.09.7Sheep milk-6.4-6.08.70.0Goat’s meat

4. OUTPUT OF CROPS, BY INDUSTRY2010–2016

0

10

20

30

40

50

Vegetables,potatoes

and melons

Field crops Citrus Plantations,excluding citrus

Perc

enta

ges

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

( 22 )

5. AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT, BY PURPOSE2016

For domestic consumption

40.1%

For domestic industry36.2%

For export14.8%

Intermediate produce and

miscellaneous8.9%

6. AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT, BY PURPOSE2010–2016

0

10

20

30

40

50

For domesticconsumption

For domesticindustry

For export Intermediateproduce and

miscellaneous

Perc

enta

ges

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

7. CROP EXPORTS – PERCENTAGE OF OUTPUT2010–2016

0

10

20

30

40

50

Vegetables,potatoes

and melons

Field crops Flowers andgarden plants

Citrus Plantations,excluding citrus

Perc

enta

ges

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

( 23 )

2.3 Multi-Year Trends in Agriculture, 2010–2016During 2010–2016, the value of the agricultural output (in current prices) increased by 12.4% (the value of crops increased by 9.5% and the value of livestock and livestock products by 17.0%). The prices of agricultural output increased by 2.6% (the price of crops increased by a very slight 1%, and the prices of livestock and livestock products increased by 6%). The quantity of output increased by 7.2% (the quantity of crops increased by 2.8% and the quantity of livestock and livestock products increased by 14.1%).

The value of agricultural input (in current prices) increased by 19.3%. The prices of agricultural input (using 2000 as the basis) increased by 13.8% and the volume of input increased by 4.5%.

The value of the net domestic product (the value of the output minus the value of the input) increased by 2.0%.

8. AGRICULTURE – MULTI-YEAR TRENDS2010–2016

12.4

1.0

19.3

16.3

0

5

10

15

20

25

Value of agricultural output

Value of agricultural input

Labour cost(compensation

for jobs)

Profitability of theAgriculture industry

Perc

enta

ge o

f cha

nge

9. CHANGE IN THE VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT, BY PURPOSE2010–2016

12.4

18.6 17.6

-16.9

20.5

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

Value of agricultural

output

Value of outputfor the domestic

market

Value of outputfor agricultural

export

Value of outputfor industry

Value of outputfor intermediate

produce

Perc

enta

ges

( 24 )

During the years studied, the value of the agricultural output by purpose increased by 12.4%: The value of output for intermediate produce (fodder and reproductive substances) increased by 20.5%, the value of output for the domestic market increased by 18.6%, and the value of output for industry increased by 17.6%. In contrast, the value of output for agricultural export decreased by 16.9%.

10. VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL INPUT AND OUTPUT2000–2016

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

NIS

billi

on

Agricultural output

Input (purchased +intermediate produce)Compensation for jobs

During 2000–2016, agricultural output more than doubled and agricultural input increased by 80%. These changes indicate an increase in efficiency in the industry over this period.

During the same period, work productivity in agriculture (the ratio of agricultural output to compensation for jobs) also increased, from 4.2 in 2000 to 5.2 in 2010. There was a slight decrease between 2010 and 2016, and in 2016 this ratio was 5.0.

( 25 )

2.4 Input in Agriculture, by TypeIn 2016, the total quantity of input used for agriculture increased by 2.6% compared with 2015, and amounted to approximately NIS 19.0 billion. The input prices decreased by 2.2% in 2016 compared to 2015.

11. INPUT IN AGRICULTURE2016

Fertilizersand manures

3.7%Other inputs

15.7%

Fuel, lubricantsand electricity

10.0%

Pesticides4.0%

Packing materialsand hired transport

3.5%

Chicks, seedsand seedlings

8.6%

Water10.3%

Depreciation12.1%

Fodder32.1%

TotalNIS 19,047.5 million

( 26 )

TABLE B.- CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF AGRICULTURAL INPUT,COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEAR

Percentages

Input Component 2013 2014 2015 2016

Total 2.8 4.3 -2.6 2.6

Thereof: Fodder 5.4 12.4 -7.0 6.4

Administration and miscellaneous 2.3 7.1 0.1 5.5

Hired transport 1.5 7.9 -6.1 4.8

Fertilizers and manures -1.3 -9.5 -0.8 4.5

Packing materials -1.3 3.1 -3.3 1.3

Spare parts and repairs 23.0 0.0 -1.0 0.6

Chicks, seeds and seedlings -0.1 -5.9 0.1 0.3

Fuel, lubricants and electricity 0.4 7.7 -4.9 -1.3

Water 11.6 6.1 -2.6 -2.6

Pesticides -3.0 12.6 -10.2 -3.1

TABLE C.- PRICE CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL INPUT,COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEAR

Percentages

Input Component 2013 2014 2015 2016

Total 0.6 -1.3 -6.1 -2.2Thereof: Water 7.7 5.0 8.4 8.4

Spare parts and repairs 3.0 1.8 3.5 4.5

Chicks, seeds and seedlings 6.7 4.3 3.5 1.4

Pesticides 4.4 1.1 1.1 0.2

Administration and miscellaneous -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Packing materials -0.8 1.0 1.6 -1.3

Hired transport 2.1 0.9 0.9 -2.2

Fodder -2.5 -3.6 -9.2 -4.1

Fertilizers and manures -1.0 -8.8 -5.4 -7.3

Fuel, lubricants and electricity 1.3 -2.9 -18.8 -10.3

( 27 )

3. Terms, Definitions and Explanations

3.1 Agricultural Output and its ValueOutput: The value of agricultural production (including intermediate produce) with the addition of investment in new plantations and afforestation. The data include output mostly produced (especially harvested) during the survey year, even if production began during the previous year and the marketing in the years that followed. The data on citrus include all the harvest from August–September of the preceding year to July–August of the survey year.

Agricultural output: Includes marketed produce, own consumption on the farm, changes in livestock inventory, intermediate produce, and investments in young plantations and afforestation.

Period of reference: The period of reference is calendar years, except for citrus, for which data were collected according to agricultural years (from October until September of the following year).

Local consumption: The produce destined for direct consumption by the population of Israel, including consumption by the farmers and their households (“home consumption”), and includes produce directed to the Palestinian Authority (incl. Judea, Samaria, and Gaza Areas).

Local manufacturing : Incl. all the fresh produce supplied for manufacturing, including fresh produce after industrial processing.

Exports (Agriculture) : Fresh agricultural produce exported in the same year; excluding sales to the Judea and Samaria Area.

Intermediate produce in agriculture: Goods and services used as inputs in an agricultural process of production, excluding consumption of fixed assets (depreciation). For example, barley is used for livestock food as an intermediate product, and for human food as a final product. Data on this produce include destruction of agricultural produce and changes in livestock inventory.

Output of livestock for meat: Live weight data. Data on livestock slaughtered in slaughterhouses were obtained from the veterinary services.

Mariculture : Cultivation, management and harvesting of marine organisms in their natural habitat or in specially constructed rearing units, e.g. ponds, cages, pens, enclosures or tanks. Mariculture is cultivation of marine organisms in seawater even if earlier stages in their life cycle were cultured in brackish water or in freshwater.

Citrus industry: Includes Shamouti, navel, late varieties (Valencia), lemons, grapefruits (white, red – sunrise), tangerines (Sezoma, Michal, Rishon, Santina, Mineola, Mor, Temple, Nectar, Vinola, Topaz, Or) and other citrus varieties (Limequat, Lime, white and red pomelo, kumquat).

( 28 )

3.2 Agriculture AccountInput (Agriculture) : Composed of total materials and services purchased by agriculture from other activities in Israel and from imports (the purchased import), the intermediate produce and the depreciation in renewal prices.

Income originating in agriculture: The income of “primary” production factors (labour and capital) employed in agriculture. Income is estimated as the sum of the value of total agricultural output as well as compensations and additional industry receipts, less the value of the input. Estimates of income originating in agriculture that appear here, which do not include agricultural income from non-profit institutions, differ from those appearing in National Accounts.Compensation and other receipts of the Agriculture industry : Incl. all transfers (excluding subsidies to production units), compensation from insurance (such as natural damages), drought compensation, compensation on water cutbacks, wage supplements and other receipts (such as pest control, compensation for diseases and fallow years, assistance following natural damages). These receipts are associated with the year they were transferred to the farmers.

Compensation for jobs (former term: "compensation of employees") : Wages and salaries, and supplementary expenses for wages. Includes all the taxable sums (before deductions) appearing on payrolls for employee jobs, and all of the expenditures made by the establishment that relate to hiring people for employee jobs and do not appear on payrolls. The expenditures appearing on the payrolls include: basic wages, allowances (cost of living, vocational, seniority, travel, premiums, bonuses), payments for overtime, absence days (such as vacation, illness, and holidays), recreation allowance, “13th month’s salary”, vehicle maintenance (including imputation of employer’s vehicle which is at the disposal of the employed person), telephone, clothing, food and lodging (only if taxable), and payments in kind (such as meals, gifts, and housing).

Supplementary expenses for wages include the establishment’s expenses related to hiring employees that do not appear on the payrolls. These expenses include: payments to the National Insurance Institute and payments to pension funds, to provident and compensation funds. These expenses do not include wages of workers hired through employment agencies. In addition, when the annual financial statement is closed, compensation for jobs also includes special wage supplemenets, such as an imputation of accumulated vacation, as well as bonuses and charges for stockholders, wages of kibbutz members who were defined as having employee jobs and imputed value of compensation for non-employee jobs.

Volume index: Change in quantity compared to the previous year.

Terms of trade: The ratio between the change in price of agricultural output and the change in the price of the input used to produce it.

( 29 )

3.3 MiscellaneousNet capital stock: The sum of the written-down values of all the fixed assets still in use. Net capital stock can also be described as the difference between gross capital stock and consumption of fixed capital.

Gross capital stock: The stock of fixed assets surviving from past investment whose economic life has not ended, revalued at the purchasers’ prices of the current period.

Capital stock in agriculture: Total value of fixed physical assets, which serve the production of agricultural produce: fruit plantations, livestock, agricultural machinery and equipment, agricultural structures, irrigation network, greenhouses, fish ponds, and drainage. Since 1970, land reclamation for agriculture has been included. The value of the following assets is not included: land, forests, water plants, residential buildings, roads, electricity installations, etc. Nor is the value of assets in the fishing industry in the fishing industry included, or the value of crop spraying aircraft included.

Capital stock is calculated by the “perpetual inventory” method. According to this method, the capital stock for a given year includes the sum of the gross capital formation in assets for which depreciation is still deducted due to their life span.

The price indices that serve as a basis for deducting annual investments, which are used to calculate capital stock, are specific price indices for each type of asset.

Employed persons: A person aged 15 or over who is employed in Israel or abroad at any job for at least one hour for pay, profit, or other remuneration, during the determinant week. The group of employed persons also includes: all workers of kibbutzim (in services and other industries) during the determinant week; family members who worked in a family business 15 hours or more without pay in the determinant week; persons staying in institutions who worked 15 hours or more during the determinant week; persons serving in the army (compulsory military service or permanent army) during the determinant week; persons temporarily absent from work during the determinant week.

Includes data from Labour Force Surveys, as well as data on employees from the Judea and Samaria Area working in agriculture in Israel. As of 1992, data of foreign workers are also included. As of 1988, data on employees from Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Areas were revised according to actual work days during each year, in contrast to 1987. From 1995 to 2012, the data were based on the Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities 1993,1. As of 2012, the data relate to the entire labour force (including those in compulsory military service or in the permanent army), and are according to the Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities 2011.2

Water: The data were obtained from the Water Authority, which prepares statistical summaries of monthly reports.

1 Central Bureau of Statistics (2003). Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, 1993 (2nd ed.), Technical Publication No. 63. Jerusalem: Author.

2 Central Bureau of Statistics (2012). Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, 2011. Technical Publication No. 80. Jerusalem: Author.

( 30 )

The Dan Region Sewage Reclamation Plant (DSRP): The DSRP is the largest plant in Israel for collecting and treating sewage, recharging effluents into the groundwater, and returning effluents.

Producer and supplier: The water institutions in Israel are responsible for pumping water (production) as well as for distributing water to the main customers (supply). The difference between the produced quantities and the quantities supplied to the customers derives from the loss of water (depreciation) during the process of distribution.

Budget year: Until 1991 – from April 1st to March 31st; as of 1991, according to the calendar year (January 1st to December 31st).

Type of locality: The classification of localities by type of locality is according to the records of the Water Authority, and is not necessarily compatible with the system for classification of localities used in the CBS. As of January 1989, the water quantity summaries of the Water Authority refer to calendar year (January–December).

( 31 )

4. Sources of the Data

4.1 Agricultural OutputEstimates of produce – vegetables, fruit, poultry, cattle, milk, eggs, fish, and most field crops – are based chiefly on monthly reports from wholesalers, marketing and production boards, and manufacturing enterprises, on produce received (gathered) from the farms for domestic consumption, export, and domestic industry.

4.2 Agriculture AccountAfforestation and young plantations: Data on investments in afforestation were obtained from the Land Development Administration, while data of investment in young plantations were obtained from a normative calculation of cultivation costs, until fruit bearing. Data on new planting were obtained from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Purchased input: Obtained as an overall estimate for each of the main input items. The main sources were the following: import of agricultural inputs (such as fodder); locally produced supply (such as oil cakes and fertilizers); water output, as estimated by the Water Authority; data (e.g., for pesticides) from surveys by marketers and the production boards; financial reports of the government and the local authorities; and analyses of the balance sheets of various organizations.

Investments

Plantations: Data regarding planted area were obtained from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Data on investments in young plantations were based on calculation.

Fish ponds: The investment data were obtained from the Fishery Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Compensation for jobs (former term: "compensation of employees"): The data were based mainly on wage series, as obtained from the summaries of employers' reports to the National Insurance Institute.

Inputs Survey – Data on input in agriculture were collected from several sources:

The annual census of inputs for: feed mix centers; flour mills; enterprises whose by-products are used to produce feed mix for livestock; producers of fertilizers, medications, and covering materials; importers and marketers of pesticides and fertilizers; and crop growers’ organizations. The census questionnaires were sent out at the beginning of January.

The annual survey of garages that service agricultural equipment. Questionnaires were mailed to participants in the survey, and completion of missing data was conducted by telephone. The survey questionnaires were sent out at the beginning of January.

Administrative data: Financial statements of the government and local authorities, and data from the Water Authority on consumption of water for agriculture.

( 32 )

5. Methodology

1. The surveyed population: The account for the industry referred to the following divisions in Section A: Agriculture, forestry and fishing; according to the Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, 2011:

01 – Crop production

02 – Forestry and logging

03 – Fishing and aquaculture

04 – Animal production, hunting and related activities.

The account did not include:

016 – Support activities for agriculture and post-harvest crop activities

022–024 – Logging, Gathering of non-wood forest products, and Support services for forestry

041 – Support activities for animal production

042 – Hunting, trapping and related service activities.

2. Survey Period (period of reference): A calendar year. Data for citrus were according to agricultural year.

3. Method of Investigation:Agricultural output: Most of the data were based on data from administrative files obtained from various sources. In addition, estimates were provided for own consumption and private sales, for which data were not available. The estimates for production of other field crops were calculated by multiplying the average yield per dunam by the area sown. Data were collected mainly on a monthly basis, and updates, corrections, and additions were performed at the end of the year.

The financial value of agricultural output (quantity multiplied by price) was an estimate based on average monthly prices, which were adjusted to the average general price level of each year. The financial value of each product in the month of marketing was adjusted to the yearly average according to the Consumer Price Index.

Output value at previous year's prices was obtained by multiplying the quantity of each item by its price in the previous year. This value was used in calculating the quantitative change in the series (see Section 5.1, below).

Investments

Livestock: Constant value data on capital stock were obtained by multiplying the livestock inventory (those whose life span is more than a year) at the beginning of each year by the prices corresponding to each unit.

( 33 )

Agricultural equipment and machinery (includes commercial vehicles heavier than 4 tons): Until 1999, the estimate of investments in agricultural equipment and machinery was calculated on the basis of an estimate of the percentage of all vehicles represented by such equipment and machinery. As of 2000, the estimate has been based on a breakdown into categories of all vehicles.

Greenhouses: Up to 2002, the estimate of investments in greenhouses was calculated according to the change in size of their area. Data on investments in 2003–2005 were based on the percentage of change in the extent of marketing of greenhouse crops. As of 2006, these data have been based on the areas of greenhouses sold to farmers.

Depreciation was estimated at renewal prices by the “straight line” method, and was based on the CBS series on investment in agriculture.

4. Response rate: The response rate over the years for the Agricultural Inputs Survey has been over 70%; in the survey of output, the response rate over the years has been 100%.

5. Treatment of the data: Data entry was conducted with logical tests: The data were compared with data from the previous year and the previous month, feasibility tests were conducted, and data were checked with professional parties in the agriculture industry.

5.1 Percentages of Change in Quantity and PriceChanges in the volume and prices of the components of the agriculture account were computed using an estimate of the value at the previous year's prices (the ratio between this component and the previous year's value). It should be emphasized that the differences between the price indices derived from the agriculture account, and the price indices of agricultural output as presented in Table 2, are due mainly to differences in definition. While the price indices in this publication refer to the entire agricultural output, those in Table 2 relate only to the traded produce. Moreover, the weights of the indices here are current, whereas those in Table 2 are constant. This also applies to the index of input prices in agriculture, which is derived from the agriculture account.

5.2 Reliability of the Data(1) Data on private sales of agricultural produce, own consumption, and intermediate

produce in agriculture were based on estimates.

(2) Some of the input data were based on partial records (such as those of agencies of spare parts for agricultural equipment). In addition, the data for some of the input items were measured according to quantity and price changes that were chained to the base year 2000 (such as transport and packing data).

(3) In 2000, there was a disruption in the continuity of the output data series, due to a change in the method of calculation.

(4) Until 2005, data on the quantity of crop produce for the domestic market were received from the Plants Board.

( 34 )

In January 2006, the Board stopped providing data on quantities of fruits, and in June 2006 it stopped providing data on quantities of vegetables. Therefore, missing data were computed by estimates. These estimates were calculated mainly through averages of previous years.

As of 2007, data on quantities of vegetables for the domestic market were obtained from the vegetables branch of the Plants Board. Data on quantities of fruits for the domestic market were based on quarterly estimates of the fruits branch of the Plants Board. Because these data were added to the reports of farmers’ levies, the actual marketing period might not be identical to the reported period.

(5) In the data processing for 2005, the method of calculating the prices of fruits for the domestic market was changed. Until 2004, the prices were calculated based on an estimate. As of 2005, the prices have been obtained from a daily wholesale markets survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture. Therefore, the series was broken and these data are not comparable with data of previous years.

(6) In 2007, there was a change in the classification of parsley and coriander. Until 2006, these were classified as vegetables; as of 2007, they have been classified as spices, medicinal herbs, etc., which are included in field crops.

(7) In 2006, several of the input items were updated. In the process of preparing the 2006 input-output tables, an in-depth examination was performed of the input items and consequently the following input items were updated: Packing materials, Hired transport, Fertilizers and manures.

(8) As of 2013, the data on quantities of fish were updated, and refer to fish for food only (see Table 7).

Additional information on agriculture can be obtained in the following publications:

(1) Agricultural Statistics Quarterly

(2) Up to 2014: Statistical Abstract of Israel, Chapters: 12 – Labour and Wages; 13 – Prices; 14 – National Accounts; 16 – Foreign Trade; 19 – Agriculture.As of 2015: Annual Data.

(3) Monthly Bulletin of Statistics, Chapters: F – National Accounts; H – Foreign Trade; J – Prices; K – Labour and Wages; L – Agriculture

(4) Price Statistics Monthly.

( 35 )