Industry Producer Prices Fall By 0.2% Across EU

The industrial producer prices index, that reflects price changes at the factory gates of Europe, fell by 0.2% in both zones (EA17 & EU27) during March as compared with February according to the latest statistical bulletin from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The annual comparison between March 2012 and March 2013 shows that industrial producer prices increased 0.7% in both zones.

The monthly comparison shows that energy prices fell by 0.6% in both zones and capital goods were stable while non-durable goods prices increased by 0.1% in both zones. Intermediate goods prices increased by 0.1% in the euro area and were unchanged in the EU27. Durables prices rose by 0.1% in the euro area but fell by 0.1% in the EU27.

In March 2013 compared with March 2012 total industry prices excluding energy rose by 1% in the euro area and 1.1% in the EU27. Durables gained 0.6% in both zones and intermediate goods prices gained 0.4% in both zones. Non-durables prices increased by 2.1% in the euro area and 2.3% in the EU27 and capital goods prices increased by 0.7% and 0.8% respectively.

Producer Prices Up Across Europe

Industrial producer prices (IPP) rose across Europe in August in both zones. In the euro area the IPP rose by 0.9% and in the EU27 by 1%. Both zones increased by 0.3% in July. Compared with 2011 the IPP increased by 2.7% in both zones. The main differences were in the energy sector with a 2.4% and 3.2% increase in the euro area and the EU27 respectively and in intermediate goods with increases of 0.5% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU27. The highest increases in producer prices were to be found in Denmark (2.9%), the UK (1.8%) and Finland (1.7%). The lowest increases wwere found in Slovenia (0.1%) and Latvia (0.3%).

Industrial Prices Remain Stable

The industrial producer price index (IPP) remained stable in both the euro area and the EU27 in April when compared with March 2012 according to Eurostat. Over the year since last April producer prices have increased by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU27.