According to a report released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, in April this year industrial producer prices remained stable both in the euro area and in the European Union member states (EU-27). In March, prices increased by 0.5 percent month on month in both zones.
In April 2012 compared with the previous month, prices in overall industry excluding the energy sector increased by 0.2 percent both in the euro area and the EU-27, while prices in the energy sector fell by 0.1 percent in both zones. In both zones, prices of intermediate goods gained 0.3 percent, while durable consumer goods remained stable in April this year. Meanwhile, capital goods gained 0.1 percent in the euro area and 0.2 percent in the EU27, month on month.
Among the member states for which data are available, the highest decreases were recorded in Spain (-0.8 percent) and in Sweden (-0.5 percent), while the largest increases were recorded in Bulgaria, in Denmark and in Ireland (all +1.1 percent) and in Portugal (+0.6 percent).
In April 2012 as compared to April 2011, prices in overall industry excluding the energy sector increased by 1.3 percent in the euro area and by 1.5 percent in the EU-27, while prices in the energy sector gained 6.8 percent and 6.6 percent respectively. Durable consumer goods increased by two percent in both zones, while capital goods gained 1.1 percent in the euro area and 1.3 percent in the EU-27, while intermediate goods rose by 0.6 percent and 0.8 percent respectively, all year on year.
Among member states for which data are available, the largest year-on-year increases in the overall index were observed in Cyprus (+8.3 percent), in Lithuania (+7.1 percent) and in Hungary (+7 percent), and the smallest in Malta and in Slovenia (both 0.7 percent) and in Austria (+1 percent). The only decrease was recorded in Sweden (-0.5 percent).