Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 June 2005

Prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials increased by 4.8 per cent from May to June. Prices of petroleum and petroleum products increased by 10.1 per cent while electricity prices decreased by 9.8 per cent. The rise in prices of petroleum and petroleum products is mainly due to strong demand and limited capacity. Crude material prices decreased by 1.1 per cent. Prices of food showed an increase this month, caused by higher prices of meat.

The overall domestic market, however, showed a price increase of 1.4 per cent. The main reason for this increase was higher prices of petroleum and petroleum products as well as food.

The 12-month rate, June 2004 to June 2005: 3.6 per cent increase

The overall 12-month rate showed that prices have increased by 3.6 per cent in the past 12 months.

The increase is mainly due to higher prices of petroleum and petroleum products by 37.1 per cent.

Prices of electric current were 16.3 per cent lower than in the same period last year.

All the main groups except electrical machinery and apparatus showed an increase compared with June 2004. Crude materials rose by 3.0 per cent compared with the previous year, caused by higher prices of crude fertilizers and crude minerals (4.0) and metalliferous ores and metal scrap (9.3). Prices of food increased by 1.0 per cent compared with the figures from June 2004.