As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the index of import prices increased by 1.6% in December 2018 compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. In November and in October 2018 the annual rates of change were +3.1% and +4.8%, respectively. From November 2018 to December 2018 the index fell by 1.3%.

On an annual average in 2018 the index of import prices rose by 2.6% compared with 2017 (2017: +3.5% compared with 2016).

The index of import prices, excluding crude oil and mineral oil products, increased in December 2018 by 1.8% compared to December 2017 and in comparison with November 2018 it fell by 0.4%.

On an annual average in 2018 it was 1.2% above the level of a year earlier.