Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 March 2009

The price index of first-hand domestic sales increased by 0.2 per cent from February to March. Within the group mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials the price rise of 3.2 per cent for petroleum and petroleum products was the main contributor to the overall rise in the total index. An 8.6 per cent rise in the price of crude oil in the same period is the main reason behind the increase in prices of petroleum and petroleum products.

Chemicals and related products increased by 1.6 per cent from February to March, mainly due to higher prices of organic- and inorganic chemicals.

As in the first quarter of 2008, the index for food products increased in the first three months of 2009. With the exception of cereals and cereal preparation, the price of all food products increased from February to March. The decrease in the prices of cereal products can be explained by a lower international price level caused by greater availability of cereals in both USA and Europe than expected.

The index for crude materials (inedible, except fuels), manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment decreased from February to March. The same happened with the price of electricity that fell for the sixth month in a row. Electricity prices dropped 7.8 per cent from last month, while the decrease has been 44 per cent from October 2008 to March 2009.

Twelve-month change: Increase of 0.6 per cent

From March 2008 to March 2009, the price index of first-hand domestic sales increased by 0.6 per cent, up from 0.3 per cent in February. The main contributor to this rise is a 5.0 per cent increase in the prices of machinery and transport equipment. Also for chemicals and food products there has been a strong increase over the last year, 11.6 and 7.0 per cent respectively.