Statistics on the annual production of fishery commodities and imports and exports (including re-exports) of fishery commodities by country and commodities in terms of volume and value.

Presently the database shows annual figures from 1976 organized by:

• about 245 countries territories or land areas
• approximately 600 species/commodity items included in the FAO ISSCFC;

and then by:

• imports;
• exports;
• re-exports (for a limited number of countries); and
• production of processed commodities.

The commodity categories cover products derived from fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals and residues caught for commercial, industrial or subsistence uses, by all types of classes of fishing units operating in inland, fresh and brackish waters, in inshore, offshore or high seas fishing areas. Commodities produced from the raw materials supplied by all kinds of aquaculture are also included.

Data Periodicity: Data is reported yearly and the period used is the calendar year (1 January - 31 December)

In accordance with the internationally recommended practice, import statistics include fish caught by foreign fishing craft, whether or not processed on board, landed in domestic ports; export statistics include fish caught by domestic fishing craft, whether or not processed on board, landed in foreign ports.

Statistical information in the database is based primarily on data provided by countries through questionnaires or official publications.

The quality of these data varies depending on each country's ability to collect and compile such statistics. Data are verified for accuracy and completeness by all information at disposal, such as foreign trade, industry and commodity reports, and correspondence with countries when data are questionable.

Processing Method: Whenever national offices fail to report or do not report in time, estimates are provided by FAO. In the absence of other information, export data are used as production estimates and the returns of major trading partners are used as trade estimates. Data for non-reporting countries are also estimated using published national reports, industry association reports and other relevant material. Such estimates are appropriately flagged.