In August 2008 compared with July 2008, the industrial producer price index fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.7% in the EU272. In July, prices rose by 1.3% and 1.2% respectively.

In August 2008 compared with August 2007, industrial producer prices increased by 8.5% in the euro area and by 10.4% in the EU27.

These figures come from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Monthly changes -In August 2008, compared with the previous month, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector rose by 0.2% in both the euro area and the EU27. Prices in the energy sector fell by 2.5% and 2.8% respectively. Intermediate goods gained 0.3% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods rose by 0.2% in both zones. Capital goods increased by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods remained stable in the euro area and gained 0.1% in the EU27.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases were registered in Lithuania (+1.9%), Luxembourg (+1.8%) and Romania (+1.4%). The largest falls were observed in Denmark and the United Kingdom (both -1.8%), and Greece and the Netherlands (both -1.1%).

Annual changes -In August 2008, compared with August 2007, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 4.3% in the euro area and by 4.9% in the EU27. Prices in the energy sector rose by 22.5% and 27.1% respectively. Intermediate goods gained 6.0% in the euro area and 6.8% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods increased by 4.1% and 4.9% respectively. Durable consumer goods rose by 2.4% in the euro area and 2.5% in the EU27. Capital goods gained 2.2% and 2.6% respectively.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+27.0%), Denmark (+20.5%) and Lithuania (+20.4%), and the lowest in the Czech Republic (+5.7%), Ireland (+6.2%) and Slovakia (+6.7%).

Note: No specific data was available for Malta in this release.