In March 2009 compared with February 2009, the industrial producer price index fell by 0.7% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.8% in the EU27. In February, prices decreased by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.

In March 2009 compared with March 2008, industrial producer prices dropped by 3.1% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In March 2009, compared with the previous month, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector fell by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. Prices in the energy sector decreased by 1.7% and 2.1% respectively. Intermediate goods declined by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods dropped by 0.2% in both zones. Capital goods fell by 0.1% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. Durable consumer goods rose by 0.1% in both zones.

Among Member States for which data is available, the highest decreases were recorded in Lithuania and the Netherlands (both -2.1%) and Cyprus (-1.7%). The only increases in the total index were registered in Bulgaria (+1.1%), Denmark (+0.4%) and Sweden (+0.1%), while the index remained stable in Slovenia, Malta stood at -0.1%.

Annual changes

In March 2009, compared with March 2008, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector decreased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27. Prices in the energy sector fell by 7.3% and 6.6% respectively. Intermediate goods declined by 4.1% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods dropped by 1.6% and 0.2% respectively. Capital goods rose by 1.5% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods gained 1.8% and 2.4% respectively.

Among Member States for which data is available, the largest falls in the total index were observed in Greece (-6.8%), the Netherlands (-6.7%), France (-5.5%) and Finland (-5.0%), and the highest increases in Malta (+38.5%), Hungary (+4.6%) and Romania (+3.8%).

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