Wholesale prices for goods used in manufacturing and construction increased at an annual rate of 5.2% in April, Central Statistics Office data revealed.
This compared to an increase of 4.4% in the year to March 2022.
The price index for export sales increased 1.2% on monthly basis, while the index for home sales increased 1.1%.
The price index for products destined for the domestic market increased by 7.1% on an annual basis while goods destined for exports increased by 5.1%.
Within the industrial sector, producer prices for certain products have risen steeply. Meat and meat products have risen by 17% on an annual basis. Dairy products are up over 37%, while animal feeds are up 8.2%.
Basic metals are up 31.3%.
Building and construction materials continued to increase in price last month, today’s CSO figures show.
Cement is up 14.6%, while stone, sand and gravel are up just over 10%. Structural and reinforcing steel rose sharply in April and is now up just over 51% compared to a year ago.
Meanwhile, tough timber is up 28.5%. Windows and doors are up almost 15%, while electrical fittings are up 13% and plumbing supplies, including sanitary ware, are up just over 26%, all on an annual basis.
CSO’s data shows that,there was a decrease in the price of wholesale electricity in April, with prices 25.6% lower than the previous month.
However, the price of electricity was still 155.5% higher than in April 2021. The overall Energy products index followed these trends, with a decrease of 22.7% on March 2022, and an increase of 125.5% when compared to April 2021.