Brussels – In March 2017, compared with February 2017, industrial producer prices fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.2% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat. In February 2017 prices remained stable in both zones. In March 2017, compared with March 2016, industrial producer prices rose by 3.9% in the euro area and by 4.6% in the EU28.
Monthly comparison by main industrial grouping and by Member State
The 0.3% decrease in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2017, compared with February 2017, is due to a price fall of 1.7% in the energy sector, while prices rose by 0.1% for both capital goods and non-durable consumer goods, by 0.2% for durable consumer goods and by 0.5% for intermediate goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 0.2%. In the EU28, the 0.2% decrease is due to a price fall of 1.6% in the energy sector, while prices rose by 0.1% for capital goods, by 0.2% for both durable and non-durable consumer goods and by 0.4% for intermediate goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 0.2%. The largest decreases in industrial producer prices were observed in Denmark (-1.3%), Estonia (-1.1%), Greece (-0.9%), Spain and the Netherlands (both -0.8%), and the highest increases in Cyprus (+1.3%), Lithuania (+1.1%) and Ireland (+0.9%).
Annual comparison by main industrial grouping and by Member State
The 3.9% increase in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2017, compared with March 2016, is due to rises of 8.2% in the energy sector, of 3.9% for intermediate goods, of 2.2% for non-durable consumer goods, of 0.9% for capital goods and of 0.7% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 2.4%. In the EU28, the 4.6% price increase is due to rises of 11.9% in the energy sector, of 3.8% for intermediate goods, of 2.2% for non-durable consumer goods, of 1.2% for capital goods and of 0.9% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 2.5%. The largest increases in industrial producer prices were recorded in Belgium (+12.4%), the Netherlands (+9.2%) and the United Kingdom (+8.8%), while a decrease was observed in Luxembourg (-3.2%).