In March 2017, compared with February2017, industrial producer prices fell by 0.3 percent in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.2 percent in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2017 prices remained stable in both zones. In March 2017, compared with March 2016, industrial producer prices rose by 3.9 percent in the euro area and by 4.6 percent in the EU28.
The 0.3 percent decrease in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2017, compared with February 2017, is due to a price fall of 1.7 percent in the energy sector, while prices rose by 0.1 percent for both capital goods and non-durable consumer goods, by 0.2 percent for durable consumer goods and by 0.5 percent for intermediate goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 0.2 percent. In the
EU28, the 0.2 percent decrease is due to a price fall of 1.6 percent in the energy sector, while prices rose by 0.1 percent for capital goods, by 0.2 percent for both durable and non-durable consumer goods and by 0.4 percent for intermediate goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 0.2 percent. The largest decreases in industrial producer prices were observed in Denmark (-1.3 percent), Estonia (-1.1 percent), Greece (-0.9 percent), Spain and the Netherlands (both -0.8 percent), and the highest increases in Cyprus (+1.3 percent), Lithuania (+1.1 percent) and Ireland (+0.9 percent).
The 3.9 percent increase in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2017, compared with March2016, is due to rises of 8.2 percent in the energy sector, of 3.9 percent for intermediate goods, of 2.2 percent for non-durable consumer goods, of 0.9 percent for capital goods and of 0.7 percent for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 2.4 percent .In the EU28, the 4.6 percent price increase is due to rises of 11.9 percent in the energy sector, of 3.8 percent for intermediate goods, of 2.2 percent for non-durable consumer goods, of 1.2 percent for capital goods and of 0.9 percent for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy rose by 2.5 percent. The largest increases in industrial producer prices were recorded in Belgium (+12.4 percent), the Netherlands (+9.2 percent) and the United Kingdom (+8.8 percent), while a decrease was observed in Luxembourg (-3.2 percent).