alusvarade

Alusvarade is a term used in Estonian economics and accounting to describe the basic or foundational assets that underpin production and ongoing operations. The concept emphasizes long‑lasting resources that provide productive capacity over multiple years rather than being consumed in a single cycle. Alusvarade can include tangible fixed assets such as land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, as well as intangible long‑lived assets like licenses, patents, software, and other intellectual property that are used in operations. In some texts, natural resources and infrastructure owned by a company or public authority may also be categorized as alusvarade when they form the foundation of production capacity.

The term is formed from alus (base, foundation) and vara (asset, property). The plural genitive form alusvarade is used when referring to the aggregate value or set of these assets. While not as common in everyday accounting language as the term põhivarad (fixed assets), alusvarade appears in some academic and policy writings to stress the long‑term, foundational character of these resources and is sometimes used interchangeably with põhivarad or kapitalivarad in informal contexts.

Measurement and accounting treatment generally align with standard concepts of long‑term assets: alusvarade are recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized over their useful lives, with impairment rules applying when appropriate. In national accounts, they contribute to the capital stock that underpins long‑run economic growth.

See also: põhivarad, kapitalvarad, käibevarad, intangibles.