Producer price indices in February 2005

According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by between 1.5 and 5.8 per cent in the year to February. The biggest increase was recorded in import prices, which was particularly attributable to higher prices of crude oil, basic chemicals, iron, steel and ferro-alloys. The rise of import prices was curbed by lower prices of electrical products and pharmaceutical preparations.

From January to February producer price indices rose by 0.5 to 1.2 per cent. The import price index increased most, by 1.2 per cent, and least the producer price index for manufactured products, by 0.5 per cent. The rise of import prices was principally due to higher prices of crude oil, oil products, basic chemicals and other metal ores. Producer prices for manufactured products were chiefly raised by higher prices of oil products, pulp, paper and paperboard.

Month-on-month and year-on-year changes in Producer Price Indices in February 2005

Indices (2000=100)	Point figure 02/2005	Change-% 01/2005 - 02/2005	Change-% 02/2004 - 02/2005
Producer price index for manufactured products, total	93.8	0.5	1.5
Export price index	87.4	0.6	1.7
Import price index	99.6	1.2	5.8
Basic price index for domestic supply	101.5	0.7	3.0
Wholesale price index	99.6	0.7	2.2

Source: Producer Price Indices 2005, February. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Toni Udd +358 9 1734 3380, Mr Jari Harjunpää +358 9 1734 3472, thi.tilastokeskus@stat.fi