Producer prices for agricultural output increased by 1.8 per cent in the third quarter this year and input prices declined by 6.2 per cent over the comparative period last year.

The National Statistics Office said the producer price index for agricultural products increased by 1.8 per cent, from 104.63 in the third quarter of 2008 to 106.56 in the corresponding quarter this year.

Underpinning this result was a drop in the fresh vegetables price index (-1.2 per cent) due to falling prices of sugar melons (-23 per cent), lettuce (-19.9 per cent) and onions (-18.2 per cent).

The price of potatoes rose by 19.4 per cent over the comparative quarter as a result of a decrease in the supply of this crop.

During the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 8.1 per cent was registered in the fruit price index, resulting from a general increase in the supply of fruit. As a result, lower producer prices were recorded for grapes (-2.1 per cent), peaches (-4 per cent) and dessert pears (-15 per cent).

The slaughtered animals index went up by 6.9 per cent over the comparative period. Higher prices were registered for slaughtered pigs (+10.8 per cent), poultry (+12.5 per cent) and rabbits (+2.5 per cent). On the other hand, the animal products index registered a decrease of 3.5 per cent on account of lower producer prices fetched for raw milk (-8.2 per cent).

This decline was mitigated by an increase in egg prices (+12.9 per cent).

The input price index for agriculture decreased by 6.2 per cent, from 130.27 in the third quarter last year to 122.24 in the comparable quarter this year.

The goods and services index, which registers running cost movements, registered a drop of 7.1 per cent over the comparative period last year. This decline was attributed to lower prices of feeding stuffs (-12.9 per cent) and motor fuels (-19 per cent).

On the other hand, the machinery and investment index increased by 6.7 per cent on account of higher prices paid for materials (+10 per cent) and buildings (+3.4 per cent).