Keystone
Producer and import prices fell in April by 1.8% on an annual basis, for the twelfth consecutive monthly decline.
Compared to March, on the other hand, there was a +0.6%, as can be seen from the data released today by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
In detail, as regards producer prices, an index which focuses on indigenous products, there was a drop of 0.4% in comparison with twelve months ago and an increase of 0.4% in comparison with the month previous.
According to a note from the FSO, the monthly increase is mainly due to the rise in watch prices. On the other hand, for example, those of gas and electrical equipment have decreased.
Moving on to the second sub-index, that of import prices, the decline on an annual basis was sharper and reached -4.6%. Since March, however, an increase of 0.9% has been observed.
In particular, petroleum products, metal products, as well as medical and dental instruments and supplies became more expensive. On the contrary, the price of pharmaceutical preparations has fallen.
The producer and import price index is a cyclical indicator that reflects the trend of supply and demand on the goods markets. The data is considered an important parameter for understanding the development of inflation, since production costs on the company front are normally transferred to the final products.
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