Canada's industrial product price index declined 1.1 percent in February, led by lower prices for energy and petroleum products, according to Statistics Canada. The raw materials price index fell 2.6 percent, led by lower prices for crude energy products.

The IPPI declined 1.1 percent in February, after increasing 0.5 percent in January. This was the largest decline in the IPPI since December 2014, when prices fell 1.5 percent. Of the 21 major commodity groups, 4 were up, 15 were down and 2 were unchanged.

Lower prices for energy and petroleum products (-4.1 percent) were the main reason for the decline in the IPPI in February. Lower prices for motor gasoline (-8.3 percent) and, to a lesser extent, jet fuel (-2.2 percent) and heavy fuel oils (-2.9 percent) contributed to the decline. Diesel fuel (+0.6 percent) and light fuel oils (+0.2 percent) both edged up in February. The IPPI excluding energy and petroleum products was down 0.7 percent.

Also contributing to the decline in the IPPI were lower prices for motorized and recreational vehicles (-1.8 percent). Lower prices for passenger cars and light trucks (-1.9 percent), motor vehicle engines and motor vehicle parts (-1.6 percent ), and aircraft (-2.9 percent) were the main reasons for the decrease in this commodity group. Lower prices in February for motorized and recreational vehicles were closely linked to the appreciation of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar.

Chemicals and chemical products (-2.5 percent) also fell, posting the largest decline since June 2010. The decrease was led by lower prices for petrochemicals (-10.6 percent) and other basic inorganic chemicals (-4.3 percent).

Moderating the decline in the IPPI in February was meat, fish, and dairy products (+1.2 percent), led by higher prices for fresh and frozen pork (+7 percent).

Higher prices for primary non-ferrous metal products (+0.8 percent), specifically prices for unwrought gold and gold alloys (+5.4 percent) and unwrought silver and silver alloys (+3.4 percent), also moderated the decrease in the IPPI. Within the primary non-ferrous metal products group, lower prices for unwrought aluminum and aluminum alloys (-1.5 percent) and unwrought copper and copper alloys (-1.1 percent) tempered advances in February.

Some IPPI prices are reported in U.S. dollars and are converted to Canadian dollars using the average monthly exchange rate. Consequently, any change in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the level of the index. From January to February, the Canadian dollar appreciated 3 percent relative to the U.S. dollar. If the exchange rate had remained constant, the IPPI would have decreased 0.4 percent instead of falling 1.1 percent.

The IPPI declined 1.4 percent over the 12-month period ending in February, after increasing 1.7 percent in January.

Lower prices for energy and petroleum products (-21.4 percent) were the main reason for the year-over-year decline in the IPPI. Motor gasoline (-19.4 percent), diesel fuel (-26.9 percent), light fuel oils (-26.2 percent) and heavy fuel oils (-36.9 percent) contributed to the decrease in prices for energy and petroleum products.

Lower prices for primary ferrous metal products (-10.5 percent), specifically iron and steel basic shapes (-12.8 percent) as well as wire and other rolled and drawn steel products (-10.4 percent), also contributed to the decline. Year over year, prices for primary non-ferrous metal products (-3.5 percent) also fell in February.

Moderating the year-over-year decrease in the IPPI were higher prices for motorized and recreational vehicles (+6.8 percent), specifically higher prices for passenger cars and light trucks (+7.8 percent), aircraft (+10.3 percent), as well as motor vehicle engines and motor vehicle parts (+3.2 percent).

Also moderating the decline were higher prices for meat, fish, and dairy products (+3.2 percent), led by fresh and frozen pork (+14.6 percent). Year over year, lower prices for fresh and frozen beef and veal (-1.5 percent) moderated the increase in this commodity group.

Raw Materials Price Index

The RMPI fell 2.6 percent in February, following a 0.4 percent decline in January. Of the six major commodity groups, two were up and four were down.

The decline in the RMPI was mainly attributable to lower prices for crude energy products (-9.4 percent), specifically conventional crude oil (-10 percent). The RMPI excluding crude energy products increased 1.2 percent in February.

To a lesser extent, crop products (-1.3 percent) also contributed to the decline in the RMPI. Lower prices for other crop products (-1.1 percent), canola (including rapeseed) (-3 percent) and wheat (-1.6 percent) were the main reasons for the fall in crop products.

Moderating the decline in the RMPI were higher prices for metal ores, concentrates and scrap (+3 percent), as well as animals and animal products (+1.2 percent). Higher prices for hogs (+11.8 percent) were the main reason for the increase in animals and animal products, while lower prices for cattle and calves (-2.4 percent) moderated the gain.

The RMPI declined 15.1 percent over the 12-month period ending in February.

Lower prices for crude energy products (-31.3 percent) were largely responsible for the decrease, specifically conventional crude oil (-32.3 percent). The RMPI excluding crude energy products declined 4 percent from the same month last year.

To a lesser extent, lower prices for metal ores, concentrates and scrap (-6.8 percent), and animals and animal products (-3.7 percent) also contributed to the year-over-year decline in the RMPI.