Press release No.383 / 2009-10-09

Consumer prices in September 2009: −0.3% on previous year 2008

Consumer-friendly price trend continues

WIESBADEN – As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the consumer price index for Germany in September 2009 fell by 0.3% on September 2008. This was the second negative inflation rate observed this year (last time in July 2009: −0.5%). Compared to August 2009, the consumer price index was down by 0.4%. Hence the estimate for September 2009 based on the results from five Länder was confirmed.

In September 2009, too, the inflation rate was characterised by price fluctuations for energy and food. Due to the further price decreases in both sectors compared with August 2009, prices of such goods continued to be markedly below previous year’s price levels. For energy, year-on-year price decreases were recorded especially for mineral oil products (−18.6%; of which liquid fuel: −34.2%; motor fuels: −13.5%). Food prices decreased 3.0% in the same period. Not considering the price trend for energy and food, the inflation rate in September 2009 would have been +1.3%.

The prices of energy (mineral oil products and other household energy) fell by a total 9.0% on September 2008. Marked year-on-year price decreases were observed in September 2009 not only for mineral oil products but also for gas (−9.4%). An opposite price trend was again calculated for electricity (+6.1%): Price decreases for electricity were last recorded in 2000; since that time, stable or rising electricity prices have been observed.

Food prices fell 3.0% on a year earlier. The largest year-on-year price decreases were observed for oils and fats (−11.3%) as well as for dairy products (−10.6%; including curd: −25.7%; fresh full-cream milk and UHT milk: −22.1% each; butter: −19.2%). Markedly lower prices than a year earlier were also recorded for vegetables (−8.9%; including potatoes: −23.4%; cucumbers: −22.9%; sweet peppers: −21.7%) and fruit (−6.3%; including apples: −11.3%; kiwis: −8.3%). Prices were up from September 2008, however, for fish (+4.1%; including fish fingers: +10.7%).

Year-on-year price increases worth mentioning were recorded again for tobacco products (+5.3%) and package holidays (+3.2%).

Change in September 2009 on August 2009
The price decrease of the overall index (−0.4%) compared with August 2009 resulted mainly from lower prices of mineral oil products (−3.1%). Compared with the previous month, prices of liquid fuel were down 4.4%, those of motor fuels 2.7% (including supergrade petrol: −2.8%; Diesel fuel: −2.4%). Thus the ups and downs of mineral oil prices observed in the last few months continued.

Slight month-on-month price decreases were recorded for food (−0.3%). Marked decreases were observed especially for some fruits and vegetables (including grapes: −11.4%; potatoes: −12.3%).

Also, there were opposite price trends caused by seasonal factors: After the end of the holidays, prices were down for accommodation services (−9.0%), package holidays (−8.6%) and air travels (−3.6%). However, the seasonal sales being finished, consumers had to pay an average 3.4% more than a month earlier for clothing and footwear.

The harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) for Germany, which is calculated for European purposes, declined 0.5% in September 2009 on September 2008. Hence a negative rate of price increase was observed for the third time in a row for the HICP (July 2009: −0.7%; August 2009: −0.1%). Compared with August 2009, the index was down 0.5%. The HICP estimate of 28 September 2009 was thus slightly revised downwards.

Further information on consumer price statistics is provided by Fachserie 17, Reihe 7, which is available free of charge via the publications of the Federal Statistical Office. Detailed information and long time series on consumer price statistics can also be retrieved free of charge from the database Genesis Online.

>>> Brief methodological description

For further information please call our service telephone number,
tel: (+49-611) 75-4777,

E-mail: verbraucherpreisindex@destatis.de

Consumer price index for Germany
Overall index / product groups ________ Overall index / subindex	Weighting	Index 2005 = 100	Change on the same period a year earlier	Change on the preceding month
	in per mill	Index 2005 = 100	in per cent
Overall index in September 2009	1,000.00	106.9	–0.3	–0.4
Food and non-alcoholic-beverages	103.55	109.1	–2.8	–0.4
Food	89.99	109.2	–3.0	–0.3
Milk, cheese and eggs	14.44	109.9	–9.1	–0.2
Oils and fats	2.55	109.5	–11.3	–0.5
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco	38.99	112.8	3.6	0.1
tobacco	22.43	116.5	5.3	0.1
Clothing and footwear	48.88	104.4	1.5	3.4
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels	308.00	108.7	–0.5	–0.2
Net rent exclusive of heating expenses	203.30	104.8	1.0	0.0
Household energy	59.82	122.4	–6.5	–1.0
Electricity	24.61	126.8	6.1	0.1
Gas	12.85	123.0	–9.4	–0.5
Liquid fuel	9.21	100.5	–34.2	–4.4
Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house	55.87	104.7	1.8	0.1
Health	40.27	104.2	0.8	0.0
Transport	131.90	108.9	–3.0	–0.9
Motor fuels	35.37	106.2	–13.5	–2.7
Supergrade petrol	19.29	106.9	–11.3	–2.8
Diesel oil	8.15	102.4	–20.4	–2.4
Communication	31.00	89.5	–1.5	–0.1
Recreation and culture	115.68	101.3	1.6	–2.0
Package holidays	25.93	108.8	3.2	–8.6
Education	7.40	130.9	–4.5	–0.2
Restaurants and hotels	43.99	108.1	1.9	–2.4
Miscellaneous goods and services	74.47	107.7	1.7	0.0
Overall index
Excluding liquid fuel and motor fuels	955.42	107.0	0.8	–0.3
Excluding household energy	940.18	106.0	0.3	–0.3
Excluding energy (household energy and motor fuels)	904.81	105.9	0.8	–0.3
Goods, total	493.00	107.6	–1.7	0.0
Non-durable consumer goods	305.11	111.7	–3.0	–0.5
Consumer goods with a medium-term life	95.24	103.9	1.4	1.9
Durable consumer goods	92.65	97.7	0.0	–0.1
Services	507.00	106.3	1.2	–0.7

Consumer price index for Germany
Overall index ________ Year / Month		Index 2005 = 100	Change on the same period a year earlier	Change on the preceding month
Overall index ________ Year / Month		Index 2005 = 100	in per cent
2007 annual average		103.9	2.3	–
2008 annual average		106.6	2.6	–
2008	September	107.2	2.9	–0.1
	October	107.0	2.4	–0.2
	November	106.5	1.4	–0.5
	December	106.8	1.1	0.3
2009	January	106.3	0.9	–0.5
	February	106.9	1.0	0.6
	March	106.8	0.5	–0.1
	April	106.8	0.7	0.0
	May	106.7	0.0	–0.1
	June	107.1	0.1	0.4
	July	107.1	–0.5	0.0
	August	107.3	0.0	0.2
	September	106.9	–0.3	–0.4

For more details please refer to the German version.

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