Selling prices of manufactured products nearly 5 percent up

Selling prices in Dutch manufacturing industry were 4.8 percent higher in February than twelve months previously versus a 5.5 percent price increase in January. Over the past six months, selling prices have increased less rapidly.

In nearly all branches, manufacturers charged higher prices for their products than in February 2011. Prices in the oil industry rose most notably, just as in the preceding months. In this sector, prices were up by 18 percent relative to one year previously, but the increase was slightly smaller than in January.

Selling prices in manufacturing industry were 1.3 percent higher in February than in January. Prices on the foreign market rose by 1.5 percent, prices on the domestic market by 1.1 percent. January’s month-on-month price increase had also been substantial (1.7 percent). Price developments for crude oil played an important part in this respect. On average, a barrel of North Sea Brent oil cost 90 euro in February, the highest price recorded in decades.

Factory gate prices

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.