Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 September 2000

Once again the group mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials is the main contributor to the increase in this index. Due to higher prices of crude oil and refined oil products, the index for this group rose by 4.9 per cent from August to September. The 12-month rate went up from 10.7 to 13.8 per cent.

Increase in prices of food and beverages

The prices of meat and meat preparations increased, while the prices of feeding stuff for animals went down. Fruit and vegetables became cheaper in the domestic market, but import prices increased. With that, the index for food went up 0.2 per cent from August to September. The group beverages and tobacco showed an increase of 1.5 per cent, a rise mainly attributable to higher prices of beer and mineral water.

In the group inedible crude materials, except fuels, the prices rose 0.6 per cent. This was mainly due to an increase in the price of metalliferous ores. The price increase of manufactured goods classified chiefly by material was 0.2 per cent, with imported metal products as the main contributor.

Increase in prices of goods for consumption

The prices of goods for consumption rose by 0.6 per cent from August to September, causing the 12-month rate to rise from 1.9 to 2.3 per cent. While the index for investment goods showed a minor fall of 0.1 per cent, the 12-month rate remained unchanged at 1.2 per cent.