Factory gate prices fell in April, declining 0.8 per cent in the year and 0.7 per cent in the month, new data showed today.

That compares with an annual increase of 0.9 per cent recorded in March and a 1 per cent rise in April last year.

The decline was partly influenced by a fall in computer, electronic and optical products, which showed a decline of 2.6 per cent in the month and 1.7 per cent in the year. Food products fell 1 per cent month on month and pharmaceutical products were down 0.7 per cent. In the year, pharmaceutical products were 8.2 per cent lower.

Offsetting the declines were rises in meat products, which gained 1.4 per cent in the month and 8.4 per cent year on year.

The Central Statistics Office said the price index for export sales showed a month-on-month fall of 1.2 per cent. However, the index for home sales rose by 1.1 per cent in the month, and 4.9 per cent in the year.

On an annual basis, the price index for export sales fell by 2 per cent, but currency fluctuations could account for some changes.