Annual manufacturing prices fell in July but remained static compared to a month earlier, the Central Statistics Office said yesterday. The annual figures showed a fall of 0.4 per cent in the year to July, compared to a 0.1 per cent decline recorded in June.

On a monthly basis, the price index for export sales fell by 0.1 per cent and the home sales index rose by 0.1 per cent. Over the year that decrease widened to 1.6 per cent for export sales. The home sales index rose by 4.9 per cent over the year.

The most significant changes over the month were a 2.5 per cent rise in basic metals, while computer, electronic and optical products rose 0.9 per cent. Electrical equipment fell by 1.7 per cent, and meat and meat products were down by 1.2 per cent. The annual change was influenced by a 10.5 per cent rise in dairy products and an 8.2 per cent rise in the meat and meat products sector.