As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the index of import prices decreased by 0.6% in February 2018 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. This has been the first price decline compared to the previous year since October 2016. In January 2018 and in December 2017 the annual rates of change were +0.7% and +1.1%, respectively. From January 2018 to February 2018 the index fell by 0.6%.
The index of import prices, excluding crude oil and mineral oil products, decreased by 1.0% compared with the level of a year earlier.
The index of export prices increased by 0.5% in February 2018 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. In January 2018 and in December 2017 the annual rates of change were +0.7% and +1.0%, respectively. From January 2018 to February 2018 the export price index did not change.