Industrial producer prices remain stable in Malta for August

Compared with July 2012, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.9% in the euro area (EA17) and by 1.0% in the EU27 in August 2012. In July prices increased by 0.3% in both zones.

In August 2012 compared with August 2011, industrial producer prices gained 2.7% in both the euro area and the EU27 according to Eurostat figures.

The European Union’s statistical office said while producer prices remained stable in Belgium, Hungary and Malta, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector gained 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU 27 in August 2012 compared to July 2012.

Prices in the energy sector increased by 2.4% and 3.2% respectively while intermediate goods rose by 0.5% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU27.

In both zones, non-durable consumer goods gained 0.3% and durable consumer goods 0.1%, while capital goods remained stable.

Among the Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total index were recorded in Denmark ( 2.9%), the United Kingdom ( 1.8%) and Finland ( 1.7%), and the lowest in Slovenia ( 0.1%) and Latvia ( 0.3%).

In August 2012 compared with August 2011, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27.

Prices in the energy sector gained 7.9% and 7.2% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods rose by 2.1% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU27.

Durable consumer goods increased by 1.6% in both zones while capital goods gained 0.9% in the euro area and 1.0% in the EU27. Intermediate goods rose by 0.3% in both zones.

Among the Member States for which data are available, the largest increases in the total index were observed in Bulgaria ( 7.1%), Greece ( 6.8%) and Cyprus ( 6.7%), and the smallest in Malta and Slovenia (both 0.8%) and Austria ( 1.1%). The only decrease was recorded in Sweden (-0.5%).