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

The price index of first-hand domestic sales increased by 0.9 per cent from April to May. An 8.4 per cent rise in prices of petroleum and petroleum products was the main contributor to the rise in the overall index. The price of crude oil, Brent blend, increased by 13.2 per cent in the same period. This is the third month in a row with higher oil prices.

Prices of chemicals and related products increased by 0.6 per cent from last month. This is mainly due to higher prices of organic chemicals.

After a fall in prices of food and live animals from March to April, prices started to increase from April to May. Higher prices of fish, vegetables and fruits are the main contributors to this development.

Prices of both machinery and transport equipment, and crude materials, inedible, except fuels, had moderate changes from April to May. Within the remaining groups, prices dropped from April to May, and prices of animal and vegetable oils in particular decreased the most.

Twelve month change: price growth of 0.2 per cent

From May 2008 to the same month this year, the price index of first-hand domestic sales increased by 0.2 per cent. Higher prices of machinery and transport equipment and chemicals and related products, were the main contributors to the rise in the twelve month rate, up 5.2 and 13.5 per cent respectively. Higher prices of food products and miscellaneous manufactured articles had a strong influence as well.

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