The euro-zone1 industrial producer price index2 increased by 0.3% in April 2002 compared with the previous month, Eurostat - Statistical Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg - estimates today. EU15 prices also increased by 0.3%. In March 20023, prices rose by 0.4% in the euro-zone and by 0.2% in the EU15.
In April 2002 compared to April 2001 industrial producer prices fell by 0.7% in the euro-zone and by 0.6% in the EU15.
Monthly changes
In April compared to the previous month, the evolution of the different sectors was very similar in the euro-zone and the EU15 . In both areas, the indices for intermediate goods rose by 0.3%, non-durable consumer goods by 0.2% and durable consumer goods by 0.1%, while capital goods remained unchanged. The energy index increased by 0.8% in the euro-zone and by 1.1% in the EU15.
In April 2002, and among the Member States for which data are available, the strongest price increases were registered in Portugal (3.4%), the Netherlands (1.0%), Spain (0.7%) and Sweden (0.6%), while Belgium and Germany (both -0.1%) reported the only decreases.
The fall of 0.7% in the euro-zone and 0.6% in the EU15 in the index of April 2002 as compared to April 2001, was due to price decreases for energy and intermediate goods. Even though energy prices grew (or were stable) month to month in January to April 2002, over the last twelve months they fell by 3.9% in the euro-zone and by 4.0% in the EU15. Intermediate goods decreased by 1.2% in the euro-zone and by 1.1% in the EU15 . Capital goods increased by 1.1% and by 1.0% respectively. Durable and non-durable consumer goods rose by 1.5% and by 1.0% respectively in the euro-zone and by 1.3% and 1.0% in the EU15.
The annual rates were negative in all Member States for which data are available, except in Sweden (+1.9%) and Spain (+0.8%). The strongest annual falls were reported in the Netherlands and Portugal (both -1.5%), Belgium
(-1.4%) and Italy (-1.2%).
(source: Eurostat)
