Wholesale sales prices in February 2026 were 1.2 % higher than in February 2025. The same rise was seen in January 2026 and December 2025, with prices up 1.2 % year over year in those months. Destatis reported on Friday that wholesale prices increased 0.6 % from January to February 2026.
The main driver of the overall year‑over‑year increase in February 2026 was the steep rise in non‑ferrous ores, non‑ferrous metals and their semi‑finished products. Prices in this category averaged 44.9 % above February 2025 levels and were up 5.2 % compared with January 2026.
Other significant contributors to the year‑over‑year growth were food, drink and tobacco products, which were 0.8 % higher than in February 2025. Within this group, sugar, confectionery and bakery goods were 9.1 % more expensive. Meat and meat products also saw a 3.7 % rise.
In contrast, wholesale prices for grain, raw tobacco, seed and feed were 7.4 % lower than in February 2025, though they were 1.8 % higher than in January 2026. Milk, dairy products, eggs, cooking oils and food fats were 6.6 % lower than in February 2025 and 0.2 % lower than in January 2026.
Mineral oil products were cheaper than a year earlier, down 3.9 %, but prices rose 2.6 % from January 2026, the federal office added.