The prices of manufactured goods continued to fall last month, driven by strong reductions in the prices of computer products.
According to the Central Statistics Office's latest wholesale price index, the price of an average "basket" of manufactured goods dropped by 0.3 per cent between March and April last. Compared with April 2006, average prices were 1.5 per cent lower. This compares with a 5.1 per cent increase recorded in prices at retail level by the consumer price index for that month.
The largest price falls occurred in the so-called office machinery and computers sector, where prices fell by 1.5 per cent in April and by 10.8 per cent annually. Prices for electrical machinery also fell significantly, by 1 per cent over the month and by 2.3 per cent annually.
These falls dominated the overall wholesale price trends, disguising significant price increases in the food, energy and construction sectors.
Meat product prices rose 3.1 per cent in April and were 4.5 per cent higher annually. Although increasing more modestly over the month, wholesale prices of fish, fruit, vegetables and dairy products were significantly higher than a year before.
Energy prices rose by 0.7 per cent in April and were 7.9 per cent higher than a year previously. Products relating to the building and construction sector rose by 0.8 per cent over the month and by 6.2 per cent annually.
