Wholesale prices grew by 0.5 per cent in the year to September 2013, up from a decrease of 1.4 per cent in the previous month, driven by rising dairy and meat products prices.

In the month of September, prices decreased by 0.2 per cent compared to a decrease of 2.1 per cent for the same month last year.

The most significant changes were increases in printing and reproduction of recorded media (+1.0 per cent), beverages (+0.4 per cent) and dairy products (+0.2 per cent), while there were decreases in other food products including bread and confectionary (-0.8 per cent).

On an annual basis the most significant changes were an increase in dairy products (+16.4 per cent); meat and meat products (+3.8 per cent); and computer, electronic and optical products (+1.8 per cent), while there were decreases in other food products including bread and confectionary (-3.3 per cent), and chemicals and chemical products (-1.9 per cent).

Energy prices fell by 2.7 per cent in the year to September 2013, with petroleum fuels down by 5 per cent. In September however, energy prices increased by 4 per cent.

In the building and construction sector, all material prices increased by 1.6 per cent in the year, driven by notable increases in stone (+8 per cent); glass (+5.7 per cent); and PVC pipes and fittings (+4.6 per cent).