Annual Manufacturing Prices up 5.2% In November

Monthly factory gate prices increased by 1.3% in November 2008. This compares to a decrease of 1.1% recorded for November 2007. As a result, the annual percentage change showed an increase of 5.2% in November 2008, compared with an increase of 2.6% in October 2008.

In the month, the price index for export sales increased by 1.8% while the index for home sales decreased by 0.3%. In the year there was an increase in the price index for export sales of 5.3% and an increase of 4.7% in respect of the price index for home sales.

In the month the most significant changes were increases in Office machinery and computers (+4.2%), Basic chemicals (+3.3%), and Pharmaceuticals and other chemical products (including man-made fibres) (+2.8%), while there was a decrease in Meat and meat products (-3.1%).

Contributing to the annual change were increases in other food products including bread and confectionery (+12.7%), Pharmaceuticals and other chemical products (including man-made fibres) (+12.0%), and Basic chemicals (+8.2%), while there was a decrease in Dairy products (-10.0%).

The price of Energy products increased by 10.0% in the year since November 2007, while Petroleum fuels decreased by 7.5%. In November 2008, there was a monthly decrease in Energy products of 2.2%, while Petroleum fuels decreased by 8.3%.