CountrySTAT is a framework that includes structured and comprehensive metadata. It can be useful not only for statisticians who compile, validate and analyse the data, but also for users who access and use the data.

The metadata system enhances understanding of any given data item within CountrySTAT by managing the documentation of related concepts and definitions, its sources and the methodologies used in its collection.

Reference documentation on CountrySTAT metadata can be found at:

National Metadata

•National Panorama Report
This report provides information about the national agricultural statistics system, on major domains and selected indicators, major data sources and methodology used.

•National Panorama Report II
This report reviews the analysis of sustainability and evaluation of the institutional framework, the progress made by the national system of agricultural statistics in terms of availability, quality, accessibility and use of data and metadata, as well as regarding regional integration.

• Summary on statistical indicators (including metadata)
This summary provides an overview of indicators (including metadata) disseminated on CountrySTAT web site and describes the data collection and dissemination methodology concerning food and agriculture.

• The correspondence table between National and International classification.
This table shows the link between national classification and international standard classification of commodities. In this way, data are disseminated on CountrySTAT navigation tree and allows data comparison among different national CountrySTATs.

• National Technical Conversion Factors for Agricultural Commodities
The document provides national technical conversion factors to convert derived product data into primary equivalent and/or vice versa.

International Standards 

• International Standard Concepts and Definitions
This document provides information on data structure, FAO concepts and definitions common to FAOSTAT and CountrySTAT framework.

• FAO commodities, classification and codes
This dopcument provides the detailed list of FAO commodities, the classification, definitions and codes, so that data collected using national standards can be converted to international standards before to be published

• Corresponding FAOSTAT Metadata
This is the link to more details on FAOSTAT Metadata