Output prices from manufacturing rose 0.3 per cent in September from August amid a rise in energy prices and sluggish export sales, according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office.
Wholesale prices rose 0.3 per cent in September - a third consecutive monthly rise. The prices remain down 7.8 per cent compared with the same period the previous year.
The cost of energy fuels rose by 0.4 per cent in September and remain up 5.6 per cent year-on-year. Petroleum fuels climbed 1.5 per cent on the month and 4.1 per cent compared with last year.
Crude oil prices have risen by up to 20 per cent after OPEC unexpectedly cut its output quota on September 24th.
Rises in the cost of basic chemicals, up 1 per cent; office machinery and computers, up 0.4 per cent; and communication technology, which rose by 0.9 per cent, contributed to costs.
Computers and office technology showed the sharpest year-on-year price changes down 15 per cent.