In March 2016, compared with February 2016, industrial producer prices rose by 0.3 percent in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.4 percent in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 201 6 prices fell by 0.7 percent in the euro area and by 0.6 percent in the EU28.

In March 2016, compared with March 2015, industrial producer prices fell 4.2 percent in the euro area and by 4.1 percent in the EU28.

The 0.3 percent increase in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2016, compared with February 2016, is due to rises of 1.2 percent in the energy sector and of 0.2 percent for durable consumer goods. Prices remained stable for capital goods, while they fell by 0.1 percent for both intermediate goods and non-durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy decreased by 0.1 percent.

In the EU28, the 0.4 percent increase is due to rises of 1.9 percent in the energy sector and of 0.2 percent for durable consumer goods. Prices remained stable for capital goods, while they fell by 0.1 percent for both intermediate goods and nondurable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy remained stable.

The highest increases in industrial producer prices were observed in Greece (+1.8 percent), Estonia (+1.6 percent), Belgium (+1.4 percent) and the United Kingdom (+1.2 percent), and the largest decreases in Cyprus (-1.6 percent), Lithuania and Slovakia (both -0.7 percent).

The 4.2 percent decrease in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in March 2016, compared with March 2015, is due to price falls of 12.1 percent in the energy sector, of 2.6 percent for intermediate goods and of 0.8 percent for nondurable consumer goods, while prices rose by 0.3 percent for capital goods and by 0.8 percent for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 1.1 percent.

In the EU28, the 4.1 percent price decrease is due to falls of 13 percent in the energy sector, of 2.4 percent for intermediate goods and of 0.7 percent for non-durable consumer goods, while prices rose by 0.6 percent for capital goods and by 0.9 percent for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.9 percent.

Industrial producer prices fell in all Member States, with the largest decreases observed in the Netherlands (-10.9 percent), Greece (-9 percent), Belgium and Lithuania (both -6.3 percent), Slovakia (-6.2 percent) and Ireland (-5.8 percent).