This dataset provides the latest and most comprehensive data across OECD countries on agricultural nutrient balances. The gross nutrient balances (N and P) are calculated as the difference between the total quantity of nutrient inputs entering an agricultural system (mainly fertilisers, livestock manure), and the quantity of nutrient outputs leaving the system (mainly uptake of nutrients by crops and grassland). Gross nutrient balances are expressed in tonnes of nutrient surplus (when positive) or deficit (when negative). This calculation can be used as a proxy to reveal the status of environmental pressures, such as declining soil fertility in the case of a nutrient deficit, or for a nutrient surplus the risk of polluting soil, water and air. The nutrient balance indicator is also expressed in terms of kilogrammes of nutrient surplus per hectare of agricultural land to facilitate the comparison of the relative intensity of nutrients in agricultural systems between countries.

The OECD database of Agri-environmental Indicators provides the latest and most comprehensive set of agri-environmental indicators (AEIs) across 35 OECD countries and UE countries (plus Norway and Switzerland) from 1990 to 2015. This database builds from OECD questionnaire and the close collaboration with Eurostat. Eurostat is in charge of the data collection statistics for EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland. The OECD Secretariat collects data for non-EU OECD countries on the basis of the OECD Agri-environmental Indicators questionnaire.