17 March 2003
Inquiries: Mr Jari Harjunpää +358 9 1734 3472, Mr
Anssi Vuorio +358 9 1734 2394
Director in charge: Mr Kari Molnar
Export prices fell by 3.9 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, export prices fell by 3.9 per cent from last year's February to this year's February. The fall was mainly attributable to lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment, paper and paperboard and fur products. The fall was curbed by higher prices of oil products as well as by risen prices of measuring and control equipment and iron, steel and ferro-alloys.
Import prices rose by 2.0 per cent from February 2002. This was particularly due to higher prices of crude oil and motor vehicles. The rise of the index was restrained by lower prices of electronic circuits and other vehicles.
Wholesale prices went up by 1.7 per cent from February last year. The rise was principally caused by higher prices of crude oil, electricity and oil products. The rise of the index was especially held back by lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment.
Export prices fell by 1.1 per cent in February
Export prices went down by 1.1 per cent from January to February. This was primarily due to lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment and pulp, paper and paper products. The fall was curbed by higher prices of oil products.
The basic price index for domestic supply, that is, prices exclusive of tax of goods used in Finland, rose by 0.7 per cent from January to February. The rise was particularly due to higher prices of electricity, basic chemicals and oil products.
Month-on-month and year-on-year changes of Producer Price Indices in February 2003 (2000=100)
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| Indices | Point figure 2/2003 |
Change, % 1/2003 - 2/2003 |
Change, % 2/2002 - 2/2003 |
| Producer price index for manufactured products, total | 94.5 | 0.1 | -0.9 |
| Export price index | 87.9 | -1.1 | -3.9 |
| Import price index | 95.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 |
| Basic price index for domestic supply | 99.8 | 0.7 | 1.6 |
| Wholesale price index | 99.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
Producer price indices measure the development of commodity prices from enterprises' viewpoint. The basic price index for domestic supply measures the development of prices exclusive of tax of goods used in Finland as they enter the market. The wholesale price index describes the change in the purchase prices of goods used in Finland inclusive of tax. Both these indices contain domestic and imported goods.
Source: Producer Price Indices 2003, February. Statistics Finland