German producer prices fell more than forecast in February

According to the report from Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), in February 2020 the index of producer prices for industrial products decreased by 0.1% compared with the corresponding month of the preceding year. Economists had expected a 0.2% increase. In January the annual rate of change all over had been +0.2%. Compared with the preceding month January the overall index fell by 0.4% in February 2020 (+0.8% in January). Economists had expected a 0.1% decrease.

Energy prices as a whole decreased by 2.5% (-1.6% compared to January 2020). On an annual basis, prices of natural gas (distribution) decreased by 11.5% whereas prices of petroleum products increased by 0.1% and prices of electricity rose by 0.9%.

The overall index disregarding energy was 0.6% up on February 2019 and remained unchanged compared to January 2020.

Prices of intermediate goods decreased by 1.6% compared to February 2019 (-0.2% compared with January 2020). Prices decreased especially regarding non-metallic secondary raw materials (-47.6%). Prices of basic iron, steel and ferro-alloys fell by 8.8%. By contrast, prices of precious metals increased by 23.5% compared to February 2019. Prices of fresh concrete were up 7.9%.

Prices of non-durable consumer goods increased by 3.9% compared to February 2019 (+0.4% on January 2020). Food prices were up 5.7% on February 2019. Pork prices increased by 31.8%, the price of sugar by 18.0%. By contrast, prices of butter fell by 18.2% compared to February 2019 and prices for processed and preserved potatoes were 8.5% down on February 2019.