The annual rate of inflation for goods leaving the factory gate increased for the first time in 6 months in August 2017.

Factory gate prices (output prices) rose 3.4% on the year to August 2017, up from 3.2% in July 2017, with the change in the rate being driven mainly by petroleum products.

Prices for materials and fuels (input prices) rose 7.6% on the year to August 2017, up from 6.2% in July 2017, with the change in the rate being driven mainly by crude oil.

Recent rises to input costs may have now passed through industries that represent core inflation, although energy and food prices have grown in recent months.