Figures released by the Central Statistics Office indicate that annual manufacturing prices increased by 2.3% in February. Monthly factory gate prices decreased by 0.6% last month, which compares with a decrease of 0.2% for the month of February last year.
That corresponds to an increase of 2.3% for February 2012. That increase compares with an increase of 2.7% in the twelve months to January 2012.
A breakdown of the figures indicates that 'other' food products including bread and confectionery rose 2.1%, electrical equipment was up 1.5%. There were decreases in computer, electronic and optical products, down 2.0%. Basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations fell slightly as did chemicals and chemical products.
The price index for export sales fell by 0.9% in February, while the price for export sales increased 1.9% in the twelve months to February. The CSO notes, however, that the figure for export sales can be influenced by currency fluctuations.
