Factory gate prices fall 0.6% in January

Factory gate prices fell by 0.6 per cent in January, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

This compares to a decrease of 1.6 per cent recorded for same period last year.

The CSO said the index shows an annual decrease of 8.2 per cent in January compared to a decrease of 9.1 per cent in December 2003.

The index for export sales decreased by 9.7 per cent while the index for home sales decreased by 0.6 per cent.

Contributing to the annual change were: decreases in office machinery and computers, which fell 13.7 per cent; basic chemicals, which dropped 11.8 per cent and radio, television and communication equipment, which fell 16.2 per cent.

The CSO said there was an increase in tobacco products by 6.8 per cent.