In April 2018 the index of producer prices for industrial products rose by 2.0% compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. In March the annual rate of change all over had been 1.9%, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office.

Compared with the preceding month March the overall index rose by 0.5% in April 2018 (+0.1% in March 2018 and -0.1% in February 2018).

In April 2018 the price indices of all main industrial groups increased compared with April 2017: Energy prices were up 3.2%, though the development of prices of the different energy carriers diverged. Prices of electricity increased by 6.1%, whereas prices of petroleum products were up 3.3% and prices of natural gas (distribution) rose by 0.4%. Prices of intermediate goods were up 2.1%. Prices of non-durable consumer goods rose by 1.1% and of durable consumer goods by 1.5%, whereas prices of capital goods increased by 1.2%.

The overall index disregarding energy was 1.6% up on April 2017 and 0.2% compared