During the fourth quarter of 2010, producer and input price indices for agriculture advanced by 4.9 and 9.3 per cent respectively over the corresponding quarter of 2009.

The producer price index for agricultural products rose by 4.9 per cent, from 112.97 in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 118.52 in the quarter under review.

An increase of 19.3 per cent was registered in the fresh vegetables price index, in part resulting from a drop in the supply of fresh vegetables. Higher producer prices were recorded for cauliflowers (+18.7 per cent), tomatoes (+35.4 per cent), and mushrooms (+8.2 per cent). The price of potatoes advanced by 2.9 per cent over the comparative quarter as a result of a decrease in supply.

During the period under review, fruit prices went down by 6.4 per cent to stand at 130.94 points. This was primarily due to a decrease in prices of citrus fruit (-13.2 per cent) over the comparative period in 2009.

The slaughtered animals index added 2.1 per cent. Higher prices were registered for poultry (+5.2 per cent), cows (+7.0 per cent) and rabbits (+2.0 per cent). The animal products index registered an increase of 4.0 per cent on account of higher producer prices for raw milk (+2.3 per cent) and eggs (+8.8 per cent).

The annual average producer price index for 2010 stood at 114.17 points, reflecting a decline of 1.9 per cent over 2009. This resulted from a decrease in the producer price index of fresh vegetables (-7.8 per cent), potatoes (-4.8 per cent) and animal products (-1.4 per cent). On the other hand, the producer price indices of fruit and of slaughtered animals both increased by 1.2 per cent.

The input price index for agriculture advanced by 9.3 per cent, from 119.53 in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 130.63 in the comparable quarter of 2010.

The goods and services index, which records running cost movements, went up by 10.0 per cent over the comparative period of 2009. This increase was attributed to higher prices of feeding stuffs (+12.2 per cent) and motor fuels (+15.6 per cent).

The machinery and investment index edged up by 0.6 per cent on account of higher prices paid for materials (+1.1 per cent) and buildings (+0.1 per cent).

The annual average input price index for 2010 stood at 124.26 points, up by 3.4 per cent over 2009. Underpinning this result were increases of 9.6 per cent and 2.0 per cent in motor fuels and animal feeding stuffs. Conversely, the machinery and investment index decreased marginally by 0.9 per cent on account of lower prices in materials (-2.4 per cent).

Permalink: Producer & input price indices rise in 4th quarter of 2010