Industrial producer prices up by 0.2% in both euro area and EU28

The FINANCIAL — In March 2015, compared with February 2015, industrial producer prices1 rose by 0.2% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 20153 prices increased by 0.6% in both zones.

In March 2015, compared with March 2014, industrial producer prices decreased by 2.3% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU28, according to EU.

Monthly comparison by main industrial grouping and by Member State

The 0.2% increase in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2015, compared with February 2015, is due to rises of 0.5% in the energy sector, of 0.2% for intermediate goods and of 0.1% for capital goods, durable consumer goods and non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy also increased by 0.2%.

In the EU28, the 0.2% increase is due to rises of 0.7% in the energy sector, of 0.2% for intermediate goods and of 0.1% for capital goods, durable consumer goods and non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy also increased by 0.2%.

The highest increases in industrial producer prices were observed in Ireland (+2.6%), Belgium (+1.7%) and Croatia (+1.2%), and the largest decreases in Cyprus (-3.3%), Denmark (-0.8%) and Latvia (-0.7%).

Annual comparison by main industrial grouping and by Member State

The 2.3% decrease in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2015, compared with March 2014, is due to falls of 6.8% in the energy sector, of 1.3% for intermediate goods and of 0.9% for non-durable consumer goods, while prices rose by 0.7% for capital goods and by 1.0% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.5%.

In the EU28, the 2.9% decrease is due to falls of 10.0% in the energy sector, of 1.2% for intermediate goods and of 1.0% for non-durable consumer goods, while prices rose by 0.7% for capital goods and by 0.8% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.5%.

Industrial producer prices fell in nearly all Member States, except Luxembourg (+1.2%) and Romania (+0.1%) and Slovenia and Sweden where prices remained stable. The largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (-9.1%), the United Kingdom (-7.6%), the Netherlands (-6.5%), Denmark (-5.7%), Cyprus (-5.5%) and Belgium (-4.6%).