Price index of first-hand domestic sales, 15 May 2012

The main reason for the 0.9 per cent fall in the PIF from May to April was lower prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, as well as crude materials, inedible, except fuels and chemicals and related products.

Prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials decreased by 4.6 per cent from April to May. The price decrease spanned across the whole commodity group as prices of petroleum and petroleum products, electricity as well as coal, coke and briquettes declined during this period.

Prices of crude materials, inedible, except fuels decreased by 2.1 per cent from April to May. The price decrease was mainly caused by lower import prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap. In the domestic market, on the other hand, prices of crude materials, inedible, except fuels increased due to higher prices of crude fertilizers and crude minerals as well as wood, lumber and cork.

Prices of chemicals and related products declined by 0.6 per cent from April to May. An important reason for this was lower prices of inorganic chemicals in the domestic market.

Twelve-month change: lower prices of electricity and crude materials

The PIF decreased 1.6 per cent from May 2011 to May 2012, mainly due to lower prices of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials as well as crude materials, inedible, except fuels. Other groups with price falls during this period were machinery and transport equipment, as well as manufactured goods classified by material.

A 33.4 per cent fall in electricity prices was the main explanation behind the 5.8 per cent price decrease within the commodity group mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials. Prices of petroleum and petroleum products, on the other hand, experienced price increases during this period.

Prices of crude materials, inedible, except fuels fell by 10.4 per cent from May last year to May this year. Lower prices of metalliferous ores and metal scrap as well as pulp and waste paper and wood, lumber and cork were the main contributors to the price decrease in the commodity group.