Factory gate prices rose by 1 per cent on an annual basis in December, but were flat compared to a month earlier, new data shows.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal that in December the price index for export sales rose by 0.1 per cent while the index for homes sales fell by 0.4 per cent. In the year there was an increase of 0.7 per cent in the price index for export sales and a 2.6 per cent rise in the index for home sales.

On an annual basis, there was a 7.8 per cent price rise for computer, electronics and optical products and a 7.3 per cent rise in meat products. An 8.8 per cent decrease was recorded for basic pharmaceutical products.