Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 April 2008

Prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and electricity increased by 6.4 per cent from March to April 2008. This is mainly due to a sharp increase in the system price of electricity. On national level the price increased by 27.2 per cent from March to April. However, both the price level and price change of electricity were characterised by huge regional differences, and according to Nord Pool, the spot price in April was about 70 per cent higher in the middle and northern parts of Norway than in the rest of the country. Capacity constraints in the main cable to the northern parts of Norway were the main explanation behind the huge differences in the spot price between the regions.

From March to April, prices of manufactured goods increased by 1.1 per cent. Non-ferrous metals increased mainly due to higher import prices of aluminium and magnesium.

Following six months of relatively stable prices of crude materials (inedible, except fuels), prices rose by 1.5 per cent from March to April. The increase is mainly due to higher prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap. Despite the price increase of metalliferous ores from last month, the twelve-month change shows a decrease of 20.5 per cent.

In machinery and transport equipment, almost all groups experienced a decrease in prices from March to April. Lower prices of telecommunications apparatus and electrical machinery were the main contributors to the decrease. Prices of food products also fell from last month, mainly due to lower import prices of vegetables and fruit.

Twelve-month change: Price growth of 8.3 per cent

From April 2007 to April 2008, the price index of first-hand domestic sales rose by 8.3 per cent.

A continued price rise for mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials contributed to the 36.7 per cent increase in prices for this group. For manufactured goods, the twelve-month change of 5.8 per cent was mainly due to higher prices of iron and steel, but also higher prices of cork and wood manufactures had some influence.

Prices of food products in total rose by 3.0 per cent from April 2007 to April 2008. The increase was mainly due to a strong rise in prices of fruit and vegetables and a more moderate rise in prices of cereals and cereal preparations.