The headline rate of inflation for goods leaving the factory gate (output prices) was 2.4% on the year to March 2018, down from 2.6% in February 2018.

Prices for materials and fuels (input prices) rose 4.2% on the year to March 2018, up from 3.8% in February 2018.

All industries provided upward contributions to output annual inflation; the largest contribution was made by food products.

The rate of input annual inflation increased for the first time in four months, despite the second consecutive decrease on the monthly rate.