NSI REPORTS A 12% ANNUAL INCREASE OF PRICES IN INDUSTRY

The overall index of producer prices in industry, registering both the domestic and the international market of Bulgarian goods, showed in January some 1.7% monthly growth and a 12.1% annual increase. Again, the highest increase was registered in metal prices and the decline was in tobacco prices, showed National Statistical Institute (NSI) data. Compared to 2005, production prices of metals rose three-fold and energy priced increased by 60%.

The inflation in producer prices for January picked up by 0.5%, compared to December. A price increase was registered in the extractive industry - 2.8% and in manufacturing - 0.9%, while the generation and distribution of electricity, heat and gas dropped by 1%. In the processing industry, a more substantial price rise, compared to the previous month was observed in the manufacture of basic metals - 6.7%, in food production and the manufacture of rubber and plastic products - 15%.

On the domestic market, producer prices rose by 1.1% in January 2011, compared to January 2010. The extractive industry reported a 15% price increase, and the price rise in the processing industry and energy was 1.4% and 10.1%, respectively. NSI reported a 25% price growth in metallurgy.