Factory prices up

Selling prices of the Dutch manufacturing industry were on average 0.5 percent higher in the fourth quarter of 2003 than in the third quarter. Prices of both goods sold on the domestic market and exported goods rose by 0.5 percent.

Prices of intermediate consumption rose by more

Goods manufacturers paid an average 1.8 percent more for raw materials and semi-manufactured goods in the fourth quarter of 2003 than in the third quarter. Raw materials and semi-manufactures bought in the Netherlands cost 3.6 percent more, while prices of imported raw materials and semi-manufactured goods remained around the same level (+0.2 percent).

Factory prices compared with previous quarter

Strong fluctuations in 2003

The year 2003 was characterised by substantial fluctuations in factory prices. The turbulent developments in prices of petroleum products accounted for a considerable part of these strong fluctuations. The average level of factory prices in 2003 was 1.5 percent higher than in 2002.

Prices of intermediate consumption rose by more on average than factory prices in 2003. Developments in factory prices usually lag behind those in prices of intermediate consumption.

Factory prices and prices of intermediate consumption

Corien Ooms

Source: Key figures