In March 2012, compared with the previous month, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 0.2% in both the euro area and the EU27. Prices in the energy sector rose by 1.4% and 1.8% respectively. In both zones, intermediate goods gained 0.3%, non-durable consumer goods 0.2% and capital goods 0.1%, while durable consumer goods remained stable.
Among the Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total index were recorded in Greece and the United Kingdom (both +1.2%), Lithuania (+1.1%) and Cyprus (+1.0%). The only decreases were recorded in Sweden (-0.5%), Hungary and Austria (both -0.1%).
Annual comparison
In March 2012 compared with March 2011, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 1.5% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27. Prices in the energy sector gained 8.5% and 8.6% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods rose by 2.8% in the euro area and by 3.1% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods increased by 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. Capital goods gained 1.1% in the euro area and 1.2% in the EU27. Intermediate goods rose by 0.9% and 1.2% respectively.
Among the Member States for which data are available, the largest increases in the total index were observed in Latvia (+10.0%), Cyprus (+8.8%) and Hungary (+7.4%), and the smallest in Malta (+0.5%), Slovenia (+0.6%) and Austria (+1.6%). The only decrease was recorded in Sweden (-0.5%).