According to the report from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Producer and Import Price Index rose in October 2021 by 0.6% compared with the previous month, reaching 104.7 points (December 2020 = 100). Economists had expected a 0.4% increase.
Petroleum products, petroleum and natural gas as well as metal products in particular showed higher prices. Compared with October 2020, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products rose by 5.1%.
In particular, higher prices for metal products, petroleum products, gas, watches and machinery were responsible for the growth in the producer price index compared with the previous month. The same applies for aluminium products, wiring and wiring devices, electric motors, generators, transformers and sawmilling products. In contrast, lower prices were seen for scrap, medical and dental instruments and supplies as well as fresh vegetables.
The import price index registered higher prices compared with September 2021, particularly for petroleum and natural gas as well as petroleum products. Aluminium and products made therefrom, metal products, machinery, computers and peripheral equipment, instruments and appliances for measuring and testing also became more expensive. In contrast, steel, communication equipment and pharmaceutical preparations became cheaper.