Producer price indices in April 2005

According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by 1.1 to 6.2 per cent in the year to April. The biggest increase was recorded in import prices, which was particularly attributable to higher prices of crude oil, basic chemicals, oil products, and iron, steel and ferro-alloys. The rise of import prices was curbed by lower prices of electrical products and pharmaceutical preparations.

From March to April producer price indices rose by 0.2 to 1.2 per cent. The import price index increased most, by 1.2 per cent, and the producer price index for manufactured products and export price index least, by 0.2 per cent. The rise of import prices was especially due to higher prices of oil products and other metal ores. Producer prices for manufactured products were particularly raised by higher prices of oil products, sawn timber and wood products.

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

Indices (2000=100)	Point figure 04/2005	Change-% 03/2005 - 04/2005	Change-% 04/2004 - 04/2005
Producer price index for manufactured products, total	94.4	0.2	1.5
Export price index	88.0	0.2	1.1
Import price index	101.9	1.2	6.2
Basic price index for domestic supply	102.6	0.5	3.4
Wholesale price index	100.6	0.5	3.1

Source: Producer Price Indices 2005, April. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Toni Udd +358 9 1734 3380, Mr Anssi Vuorio +358 9 1734 2934, thi.tilastokeskus@stat.fi