Brussels, 04/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Industrial production prices rose 0.3% in the euro zone in September over the previous month, and climbed 0.1% over the last 12 months, according to statistics released on Monday by Eurostat. For the Union as a whole (EU15), industrial prices also rose 0.3% in one month but remained stable over the last 12 months. Portugal was the only Member State to show a decline in industrial prices in September as compared to August (-0.1%). The sharpest monthly rises were registered in the Netherlands (0.7%), Finland (0.6%), and France and Italy (0.4% each). Prices in Spain rose 0.3% and in Germany 0.2%. Figures were not available for four countries (Denmark, Luxembourg, Greece and Austria).
In terms of sectors, energy prices rose 1.6% in September over August in both the euro zone and the EU15. Prices of non-durable consumer goods rose 0.1% in both zones while prices of intermediate goods and durable consumer goods remained stable. Prices of capital equipment rose 0.1% in the euro zone and remained unchanged in the EU15. Eurostat adds that over 12 months (September 2001 to September 2002), energy prices fell 2.2% in the euro zone and 2.8% in the EU15. Excluding energy, industrial prices rose 0.7% over a year in both zones.