Brussels, 04/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - According to figures published by Eurostat on 4 February, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27 in December 2007 compared with November 2007. In November prices increased by 0.9% and 1.2% respectively.
In December 2007, compared with the previous month, prices in total industry, excluding the energy sector, gained 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU27. Prices in the energy sector increased by 0.1% and 0.5% respectively. In both zones, non-durable consumer goods rose by 0.4%, capital goods and durable consumer goods by 0.1% each, while intermediate goods fell by 0.1%. The highest increases were registered in Romania (1.6%), Ireland (1.0%) and Belgium (0.9%); the largest decreases were recorded in Bulgaria (1.1%) and Finland (0.5%), while prices remained unchanged in the Netherlands and Slovakia.
In December 2007 compared with December 2006, industrial producer prices gained 4.3% in the euro area and 4.5% in the EU27. In December 2007 compared with December 2006, industrial producer prices gained 4.3% in the euro area and 4.5% in the EU27. Prices in the energy sector rose by 8.3% and 8.1% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods gained 4.2% in the euro area and 4.4% in the EU27. Intermediate goods increased by 3.4% and 3.8% respectively. In both zones, durable consumer goods gained 1.9%. Capital goods rose by 1.5% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27. The highest increases were observed in Lithuania (15.6%), Bulgaria (11.3%) and Denmark (11.0%), and the lowest in Finland (1.7%), Germany (2.5%) and Slovakia (2.9%).
The EU statistical office says that, compared with 2006, the average industrial producer price index for 2007 increased by 2.8% for the euro area and by 2.7% for the EU27. (O.L)