Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 September 2001

Due to an increase in prices of petroleum and petroleum products the group mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials rose 1.4 per cent from August to September. Other groups that showed growth were beverages and tobacco, with a price increase of 4.6 per cent, and chemicals, where prices rose 0.5 per cent.

The largest downwards pull occurred in manufactured goods and crude materials. These groups declined by 0.8 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively. Food prices declined by 0.4 per cent, the first reduction the group has seen this year.

The 12-month rate, September 2000 - September 2001

The overall 12-month rate shows that prices are 3.2 per cent lower this year. During this period the prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials have declined 18.3 per cent. Crude materials are down 6 per cent, while prices of manufactured goods have declined 1.4 per cent. The largest increase occurred in food and machinery and transport equipment, where prices rose 4.3 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively.

Changes in the 12-month rate

The overall price trend continues to decrease. The 12-month rate went from -0.2 per cent in August to -3.2 per cent in September. The largest decline occurred in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials where prices now are 18.3 per cent lower than in the same period last year, after being 8.7 per cent lower last month. This development is caused by a considerable larger increase in prices between August and September last year compared with the 1.4 per cent rise this year. The 12-month rate of manufactured goods went from -0.4 per cent to -1.4 per cent, while food went from 5.4 per cent to 4.3 per cent. The only main groups with an increase were beverages and tobacco, and chemicals.