Industrial producer price index up by 0.7%

National statistics show that the industrial producer price index in December increased by 0.7% over the previous month.

During December, the producer price index for total industry increased by 0.70 per cent to 96.07 points. Prices for intermediate goods increased by 1.59 per cent. Energy, capital goods and consumer goods prices remained constant.

Prices within the domestic market remained stable.

Prices for the non-domestic market increased by 1.23% as prices in respect of goods destined for the non-euro area and euro area rose by 1.46% and 0.84% respectively.

On an annual basis, the industrial producer price index decreased by 1.65% in December 2014 over the same month a year earlier. The downturn resulted from price decreases in energy (-6.98%), consumer goods (-2.05%) and intermediate goods (-0.52%). However, prices for capital goods increased by 1.54%.

Producer prices for the domestic market decreased by 1.83%, mainly on account of a drop in prices for energy (-6.98%) and intermediate goods (-0.37%). In contrast, price increases were recorded in capital goods (+3.49%), and consumer goods (+0.67%).

During December 2014, non-domestic prices decreased by 1.51%, resulting from a decline of 2.51% within the non-euro area mitigated by an increase of 0.22% within the euro area. 