Download or read book Methods of Reconciling World Trade Statistics written by Stephen W. Hiemstra and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Extract: Import volumes reported to the United Nations (U.N.) for both food and feed grains from 1962 to 1983 differed 32-52 percent from reported export volumes. Because, in theory, reported import levels should eaual those of reported exports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must reconcile trade data inconsistencies to present the most reliable trade numbers to the public. USDA studied the inconsistencies in U.N. import and export data to improve reconcillation methods and thus improve the USDA data base. This report reviews USDA methods of editing trade data, cites examples of possible problems in reconciling food and feed grain data, and examines the causes of data inconsistencies.