Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

Census, no sampling error.

There is some uncertainty in the calculation of data from the wholesalers. After a detailed analysis of the questionnaires received, Statistics Denmark asses that the information overall gives a true picture of retail sales of organic food and drinks in supermarkets and department stores, however, sales of dairy products can be underestimated.

The reported figures are estimated to be of good quality.

Sampling error

Census, no sampling error.

Non-sampling error

The study does not cover the following channels:

1. Yard and farm sales
2. Health food stores
3. Specialized shops such as greengrocers, bakers
4. Market sales

The above sales channels covered less than 5 p.c. of the organic turnover in 2020. Source: Økologisk Landsforening ”Økologisk Markedsnotat 2021”, Numbers from Gfk ConsumerScan.

These sales channels can be assumed to have a different composition of the organic revenue than the covered population.

Retail shops where the turnover is collected via their wholesalers, can in some cases get their goods from other sources. E.g. sales of dairy products can be a little underestimate.

Quality management

Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.

Quality assurance

Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.

Quality assessment

This is a census of supermarkets and department stores, ie without sampling errors. In addition the largest online stores are included. It is assumed that these account for a large proportion (95 per cent.) of the total sales of organic foods in retail.

Data revision - policy

Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.

Data revision practice

Normally only final figures are published.