Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 March 2007

The price index related to foods in general is stable from February to March 2007. Meat prices increases by 1.4 per cent, and pork prices in particular has bounced back after low prices in the beginning of this year. The low pork prices are related to a fear of excess supply. Fruit and vegetables prices decrease from February to March 2007. Coffee prices are slightly up, 1 per cent, but the twelve-month rate is still slightly negative. Other prices related to foods show no major changes.

Prices of crude materials continues up. Except for two down turns in July and December, the index for crude materials has risen consecutively since March 2006. This is both related to the sharp increase in prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap, and the increase in prices of wood, lumber and cork. In particular nickel prices continue to increase this month. The prices related to lumber products decreased after eight consecutive months with increases.

Energy prices have gone down 1.0 per cent from February to March. The increase in prices of petroleum is due to the tensed situation in the Middle East, while the decrease in electricity prices is related to mild weather and snow melting.

Prices of chemical products have increased by 0.4 per cent in March 2007, mainly due to prices of plastic products. Prices of pharmaceutical products continue slightly down this month, 2.6 per cent since March last year.

The twelve-month rate: 0.4 per cent down

The prices of energy goods are affecting the total index downward slope from March 2006 to March 2007. The spot prices on the Nordic power exchange Nord Pool have decreased by 62 percent since August 2006 and 54 per cent since March last year. The index related to first hand domestic sales of electricity increased by 45.8 per cent the last twelve months.

Prices of clothes have increased slightly the last twelve months. According to the index prices of clothes are up 0.8 per cent since March 2007. Prices of machinery and transport equipment have fallen 0.1 per cent, the most important contributors to this fall are computers and telecommunication equipment, down 7.1 and 9.6 per cent since march 2006.