FAO statistics division has developed a Food Balance Sheet Excel software (Model) to:
1. complement country-level training workshops in SUA/FBS methodologies and provide them with practical experience of compiling and creating their own SUA and FBS: and
2. enable data sharing of FAOSTAT data with countries, in a structured model framework that allows them to understand how data are processed in the SUA and the final FBS results are derived, as well as providing ESS with feedback on the accuracy of the data. Taking into consideration the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics:
Principle 10 - International statistical co-operation
The sharing of information and practices, as well as co-operation in the joint development of statistical standards, international statistical activities etc., is an essential ingredient for continuous improvement of the quality and range of official statistics in all countries and the efficiency of their production.
3. To help countries use the model and produce their own national FBS, in line with FAO methodology and commodity classification standards, to improve the coherence of FBS produced by FAO and national statistical offices.
4. To aid countries in eventually becoming self-sufficient to complete SUA and FBS in the future, as well as submitting the results directly back to FAO, in a format which can be easily read by FAOSTAT.
What is it?
• The SUA Excel workbook contains a series of worksheets containing SUA data over a number of years.
• Most of the data for each SUA year is self-contained within the respective year’s worksheet.
• The SUA workbook has been designed to capture all of the data required to compile a complete SUA that can be used to produce a Food Balance Sheet.
What does it do?
Closely replicates the functionality of FAOSTAT, as for example, users can:
1. Input official and estimated data for commodities.
2. Adjust calculated elements such as extraction rates, waste and seeding rates.
3. Edit country-specific nutritional factors.
In addition, the spreadsheet model provides the following possibilities:
4. Generate a new SUA year.
5. Create a Food Balance Sheet.
6. Carry out basic data validation checks to reduce the risk of errors.