Glossary:European size unit (ESU)

From Statistics Explained

European size unit, abbreviated as ESU, is a standard gross margin of EUR 1 200 that is used to express the economic size of an agricultural holding or farm.

For each activity (or 'enterprise') on a farm (for example wheat production, dairy cows or the output from a vineyard), the standard gross margin (SGM) is estimated based on the area used for the particular activity (or the number of heads of livestock) and a regional coefficient. The sum of all such margins derived from activities on a particular farm is its economic size, which is then expressed in European size units (by dividing the total SGM in euro by 1200, thus converting it to ESU).

Further Eurostat information

• European size unit (ESU) (CODED - Concepts and Definitions Database)

Related indicators

• Standard gross margin

External links

European Commission - Farm Accountancy Data Network - Methodology

Statistical data

• Farm structure