Industrial producer prices increased in April over the previous month in both the Eurozone and the European Union (EU), the EU's statistical office Eurostat said on Wednesday.
The industrial producer price index rose by 0.9 percent in the 16-nation eurozone and by 1.0 percent in the 27-nation EU, compared with March, when prices increased by 0.6 percent and 0.8 respectively, according to Eurostat.
Compared with April in 2009, industrial producer prices went up significantly by 2.8 percent in the euro area and by 3.7 percent in the 27-nation EU.
On a month-to-month basis, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector in April gained 0.5 percent in the eurozone and 0.6 percent in the 27-nation EU. Prices in the energy sector also increased by 1.9 percent and 1.7 percent respectively in the two blocs.
Among EU member states, the highest increases were registered in Hungary with 3.0 percent, followed by Latvia and Bulgaria. Greece also gained a 1.4 percent in April. The largest decreases were seen in Sweden with minus 0.4 percent.
Industrial producer prices are a key indicator of inflation. The index has been back on a gradual upward trend since October of 2009.
Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com