Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 June 2004

Prices of crude materials fell by 2.3 per cent due to low prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials went down by 1.1 per cent. In this group, prices of petroleum and petroleum products fell by 4.4 per cent, whereas prices of electric current increased by 7.3 per cent. Prices of beverages, chemicals, machinery and miscellaneous manufactured articles also went down from May to June. Food and manufactured goods classified by material experienced an opposite price development - vegetables and fruit increased by 3 per cent, whereas iron and steel went up by 4.8 per cent.

The overall domestic market went down by 0.1 per cent from May to June. Prices of crude materials increased by 0.8 per cent, while prices of mineral fuels decreased by 0.5 per cent.

The 12-month rate, June 2003 to June 2004: 5.4 per cent increase

The total index increased by 5.4 per cent compared with figures from June 2003, mainly due to the price development of metalliferous ores and metal scrap, as well as petroleum and petroleum products. Prices in these groups increased by 27.3 and 19.8 per cent respectively. Prices of electric current were 17.3 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Prices of electric current are normally low in June, but little rain in 2002 and 2003 combined with high prices of coal, crude oil and natural gas have resulted in no price fall this year.