QUALITY DECLARATION - SUMMARY
INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT
For information on the institutional environment of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), including the legislative obligations of the ABS, financing and governance arrangements, and mechanisms for scrutiny of ABS operations, please see ABS Institutional Environment.
RELEVANCE
Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0) presents data of wheat grain stocks and use for selected manufacturing and agricultural businesses, licensed exporters and bulk grain handlers. These estimates are compiled from various surveys conducted by the ABS, including the periodic Grain (wheat) Handlers Stocks Survey, monthly Wheat Use Survey, the monthly Wheat Export Sales Survey, and administrative data relating to wheat grain exports.
The Wheat Use Survey is a monthly survey of selected wheat grain users, including selected manufacturers and animal feedlot operators. Data are collected on the basis of the state where the wheat is used, stored and contracted for future use. The data are released at state and Australian levels.
The Wheat Export Sales Survey is a monthly survey of wheat exporters' contracts for future wheat grain exports. Data are collected on the basis of the state where the wheat grain is sourced, and then aggregated to derive Australian totals.
The Grain Handlers Stocks Survey is a monthly survey of the major bulk grain handling businesses in Australia to collect data on stocks of grain and quality grades.
Data relating to the export of wheat are compiled from information submitted by exporters, or their agents, to the Australian Customs Service (ACS). Statistics are compiled for state and national totals.
The wheat surveys are undertaken on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to assist the wheat industry. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) uses these data to compile a regular report on uncommitted wheat stocks within the Australian economy.
TIMELINESS
Wheat Stocks and Use, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0) is released monthly, 5 weeks after the reference period. The first release, covering the period from October to December 2008 was released in February 2009. Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia (cat no. 7122.0.55.001) is generally released within 4 weeks of the end of the reference period.
ACCURACY
Data from the Grain Handlers Stocks Survey, Wheat Use Survey and the Wheat Export Sales Survey have been quality assured using recognised statistical techniques. The resultant value estimates have been checked against earlier months (where available) and relevant other sources, including contact with data providers, to ensure the accuracy of the estimates produced.
COHERENCE
Wheat Stocks and Use, Australia (cat.no. 7307.0) was first released in February 2009. Data are expected to be comparable over future collection cycles. From July 2009, Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia (cat no. 7122.0.55.001) has been used to provide earlier releases of stocks of wheat held by bulk grain handling companies.
INTERPRETABILITY
Detailed explanatory notes are provided in Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0) and Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia (cat no. 7122.0.55.001) to assist users in interpreting these data and to understand the concepts underlying the data.
ACCESSIBILITY
An extensive range of data are available from a variety of agriculture based collections on the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>.
Quality Declaration 
Print Page
Print All