Factory prices fall further

Factory gate prices of Dutch manufactured products were just over 9 percent higher in September than twelve months previously. The price increase peaked in July when prices were more than 12 percent up on last year.

Selling prices in the petroleum processing and refining industry were 28 percent higher in September than one year previously. The rise was smaller than in the three preceding months, however, and even the smallest in the last twelve months. Price developments in this sector are related to the price of crude oil among other things. The price in euros of a barrel of North Sea Brent oil was 28 percent higher on average in September than twelve months previously.

Price rises in the food industry have been diminishing since the beginning of this year. In September prices were 3 percent higher, compared with nearly 13 percent in January.

Factory prices in the chemical industry have risen sharply in recent months. In September they rose by 17 percent. Such an increase has not been reported for seven years. In the basic metal industry, too, factory prices have been increasing in recent months. In September they rose by nearly 9 percent.

In September 2008, factory gate prices in the manufacturing industry were 0.6 percent down on the preceding month. The price increase for products sold on the domestic market was equal to the price increase for exported products.

Factory gate prices