As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the index of import prices increased by 7.4% in February 2017 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. This was the highest increase of a yearly rate of change since April 2011 (+7.6%). In January 2017 and in December 2016 the annual rates of change were

+6.0% and +3.5%, respectively. From January 2017 to February 2017 the index rose by 0.7%.

The index of import prices, excluding crude oil and mineral oil products, increased by 4.5% compared with the level of a year earlier.

The index of export prices increased by 2.5% in February 2017 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. In January 2017 and in December 2016 the annual rates of change were +1.8% and +1.1%, respectively. From January 2017 to February 2017 the export price index rose by 0.2%.