Definition: Change in stocks of goods and services

Category: Tourism

Change in stocks (positive or negative) is the difference between the value of stocks at the end and at the beginning of the financial year. Stock is recorded exclusive of VAT.

Among stocks (and the change in stocks), the following breakdown can be made:
· stocks of finished goods and work in progress (stocks of products held by the producer), 
· stocks of goods purchased for resale and services rendered to third parties, 
· stocks of raw materials and consumables.

Data on stocks completes the annual flows (turnover, purchases of goods and services) required to calculate the value of production, value added, and gross operating surplus. Stocks are recorded at purchase price if they are purchased from another unit, otherwise at production cost.