Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 October 2002

Prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials increased by 2.8 per cent from September to October. Within this group prices of electricity went up 15.4 per cent. After a decline earlier this year prices of electricity increased by 40 per cent the last three months. The remaining main groups declined. The largest declines occurred in prices of food, crude materials as well as for machinery and transport equipment.

The overall domestic market showed an increase of 0.8 per cent. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related minerals contributed to the development with an increase of 2.2 per cent.

The 12-month rate: 1.9 per cent increase

The overall 12-month rate was 1.9 per cent. The increase was mainly due to higher prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related minerals. Petroleum and petroleum products showed an increase of 8.7 per cent and electricity by 32 per cent.

The total 12-month rate showed an increase for the first time since the middle of 2001.

This was mainly caused by a strong decrease in prices of petroleum and petroleum products from September to October last year, while this year's decrease only showed a slight fall.

Most of the remaining main groups showed a decrease compared with last year. Crude materials decreased by 6.4 per cent. Monthly prices of food and food products have gone down almost the entire year, while last year showed an increase. This has now resulted in October prices going below last years level.