Inflation Producer and import prices fall in January compared to the previous year
Price pressure for companies in Switzerland has decreased again at the start of the new year. In January, annual inflation based on producer and import prices was negative for the 21st month in a row.
14.02.2025, 08:52
SDA
Compared to January 2024, the price level fell by 0.3%, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Friday. Compared to the previous month, however, the overall producer and import price index (PPI) rose slightly by 0.1% to 106.4 points.
Producer prices rose by 0.1 percent in January compared to December and import prices by 0.2 percent, according to the report. In a year-on-year comparison, import prices fell by -0.8%, once again significantly more than the unchanged producer prices.
According to the FSO, the slight increase in the producer price index compared to the previous month was mainly due to higher prices for watches. Mineral oil products and medical and dental equipment and materials also became more expensive. In contrast, prices for electricity, metal products and gas fell.
The import price index showed higher prices compared to December, particularly for petroleum products, but also for green coffee, for example. Computers and pharmaceutical specialties, among other things, became cheaper.
The PPI is regarded as a leading indicator for the development of consumer prices, as the costs of production are normally passed on to consumer prices. However, the index has significantly higher swings and is more volatile due to its high dependence on commodities.
