According to the report from Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Producer and Import Price Index fell by 0.1% in July 2019 compared with the previous month, reaching 101.6 points (December 2015 = 100). The decline is due in particular to lower prices for scrap as well as petroleum and natural gas. Compared with July 2018, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 1.7%. Economists had expected a 1.5% decrease.
The decline in the producer price index compared with the previous month was mainly due to lower prices for scrap. Cheaper were also watches. On the other hand, rising prices were observed for petroleum products.
Lower prices compared with June 2019 were recorded in the import price index, especially for oil and natural gas. Price declines were also apparent in metals and semi - finished products, as well as in pome and stone fruit. On the other hand, mineral oil products became more expensive.