4 April 2016

In February 2016, compared with January 2016, industrial producer prices fell by 0.7% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.6% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January 2016 prices decreased by 1.1% in both zones.

In February 2016, compared with February 2015, industrial producer prices fell by 4.2% in both the euro area and the EU28.

Monthly comparison by main industrial grouping and by Member State

The 0.7% decrease in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in February 2016, compared with January 2016, is due to price falls of 2.1% in the energy sector, of 0.4% for intermediate goods and of 0.2% for nondurable consumer goods, while prices remained stable for capital goods and increased by 0.1% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.2%.

In the EU28, the 0.6% decrease is due to price falls of 2.0% in the energy sector, of 0.4% for intermediate goods and of 0.2% for non-durable consumer goods, while prices remained stable for capital goods and increased by 0.1% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.2%.

The largest decreases in industrial producer prices were observed in Estonia (-5.2%), the Netherlands (-2.8%), Denmark (-2.6%), Hungary (-2.0%) and Lithuania (-1.8%), and the only increases in Portugal (+0.4%) and the United Kingdom (+0.1%).

Annual comparison by main industrial grouping and by Member State

The 4.2% decrease in industrial producer prices in total industry in the euro area in February 2016, compared with February 2015, is due to price falls of 12.8% in the energy sector, of 2.1% for intermediate goods and of 0.5% for non-durable consumer goods, while prices rose by 0.4% for capital goods and by 0.7% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.8%.

In the EU28, the 4.2% price decrease is due to falls of 14.0% in the energy sector, of 2.0% for intermediate goods and of 0.5% for non-durable consumer goods, while prices rose by 0.6% for capital goods and by 0.8% for durable consumer goods. Prices in total industry excluding energy fell by 0.7%.

Industrial producer prices fell in all Member States, with the largest decreases observed in the Netherlands (-10.5%), Greece (-9.9%), Denmark and Cyprus (both -6.4%), Belgium and Lithuania (both -6.0%).

Geographical information

The euro area (EA19) includes Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.

The European Union (EU28) includes Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Methods and definitions

The index of producer prices shows (in the national currency of the country concerned) changes in the ex-works sale prices of all products sold on the domestic market, excluding imports. Euro area and EU indices refer to overall weighted price changes. The figures are not calendar day or seasonally adjusted.

Total industry covers NACE rev.2 sections B to D + E36.

Revisions and timetable

Compared with data issued in the News Release 42/2016 of 2 March 2016, the monthly percentage change for January 2016 has been revised from -1.0% to -1.1% in both the euro area and the EU28. The annual percentage change has been revised from -2.9% to -3.0% in both zones.