According to the Federal Statistical Office, in April 2008 the index of selling prices in the German wholesale trade was up by 6.9% as compared with April last year. In March and February the changes had been +7.1% and +6.0% respectively. As compared with March this year, this index increased by 0.6% in April.
Prices for solid fuels and mineral oil products were by 16.4% higher in April as compared with April last year and by 0.6% in comparison with March 2008. Prices for ores, iron, steel and non-ferrous metals and semi-finished products thereof increased by 7.0% as compared with April last year and by 3.9% in comparison with March 2008. Office devices and equipment, on the other hand, were by 12.0% less expensive this year than in April 2007.
Particularly sharp was the increase in wholesale trade prices for cereals, seeds and fodder (+46.2%). As compared with March 2008, however, prices for these products fell by 4.1%. Milk, dairy products, eggs, cooking oil and food fats were by 21.5% more expensive in April 2008 than in April 2007, but by 1.5% less than in March. The respective price changes for coffee, cacao, tea and spices were +9.5% and -3.5% respectively. 