The 2002 Agricultural Year. Agriculture in the European Union. Statistical and economic information 2002.

Each year the Commission publishes a report on the agricultural situation in the European Union. A large part of the report is devoted to statistical information on Community agriculture. This is drawn up on the basis of information from Eurostat and data collected by the Directorate-General for Agriculture.

In order for it to be more useful, the statistical information should be as up-to-date as possible and made available to users as soon as it is obtained. Therefore, the Directorate-General for Agriculture has decided to devote a special publication to statistical and economic information on Community agriculture, separate from the Agricultural Annual Report.

The statistical information presented here covers a wide range of subjects: the economic situation in agriculture, structures, trade, markets, financial aspects and rural development. An introductory chapter gives an overview of the 2002 agricultural year. Moreover, for the first time, this report includes a wide range of statistical information on agriculture in the candidate countries for EU membership.