According to the report from Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the index of import prices decreased by 2.1% in July 2019 compared to the corresponding month of the preceding year. Economists had expected a 1.7% decrease. In June 2019 and in May 2019 the annual rates of change were -2.0% and -0.2%, respectively. From June 2019 to July 2019 the index fell by 0.2%. Economists had expected the index to remain unchanged.
The index of import prices, excluding crude oil and mineral oil products, decreased in July 2019 by 1.7% compared to July 2018 and in comparison with June 2019 it fell by 0.3%.
The index of export prices increased by 0.2% in July 2019 compared to the corresponding month of the preceding year. In June 2019 and in May 2019 the annual rates of change were +0.2% and +0.7%, respectively. From June 2019 to July 2019 the index slightly rose by 0.1%.