The producer prices for industrial goods increased by 1.7 percent in April 2026 compared to April 2025. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported that this increase was less drastic than the peak seen in May 2023 (+2.5 percent). Month-over-month, producer prices rose by 1.2 percent in April compared to the previous month.
This rise is primarily attributed to higher prices for initial input goods, alongside increased costs for energy.
“Major Commodity Trends”
Looking at raw materials, capital investment goods, and consumer goods separately, prices saw varied movements. While investment goods and consumer goods were generally more expensive than a year prior, consumer goods prices were actually cheaper compared to April 2025.
“Energy Costs”
In April 2026, energy was 2.0 percent costlier than the same month last year, and prices rose 2.4 percent compared to March 2026. The strong fluctuations are linked to ongoing conflict activities in the Iran and the Middle East. Mineral oil prices, in particular, surged significantly, rising 35.5 percent compared to April 2025 and 10.7 percent compared to March 2026.
For specific fuels:
” Light heating oil was 57.6 percent more expensive than in April 2025, though it was 1.6 percent less expensive than in March 2026.
” Naphtha (raw gasoline) cost 47.4 percent more than a year ago and 19.9 percent more than in March 2026.
” Overall fuel prices rose by 34.0 percent year-over-year, or 2.2 percent compared to March 2026.
Conversely, natural gas for distribution cost 3.1 percent less overall than a year ago, but rose 1.6 percent from March 2026. Electricity fell by 4.7 percent compared to April 2025 and 2.2 percent compared to the month prior. Pipe heat was 0.6 percent cheaper than a year ago.
“Materials and Basic Inputs”
The costs of input goods rose by 2.6 percent year-over-year. The main contributors were metals (+9.1 percent), especially precious metals (+63.6 percent) compared to a year ago. However, precious metal prices actually fell by 5.9 percent from March 2026. Copper and derived semi-finished goods required paying 20.9 percent more than the previous year. In contrast, raw iron, steel, and ferroalloys were cheaper year-over-year (-0.9 percent), though construction steel was up 0.1 percent.
In the realm of raw materials:
” Wood and wood/cork goods were generally 5.4 percent more expensive year-over-year. Specifically, sawn pine increased by 8.7 percent, while sawn leaf increased by 2.9 percent.
” Significant jumps were noted in pellets, briquettes, and split wood, rising 25.9 percent year-over-year, though they were down 3.2 percent from March 2026.
” Chemical basic materials rose 3.2 percent year-over-year (or 5.2 percent from March 2026). Fertilizers were 8.4 percent costlier than a year ago, and 5.5 percent more than in March 2026.
” Glass and glass goods increased by 3.3 percent; refined and processed flat glass was 6.5 percent pricier, while hollow glass prices fell 1.7 percent compared to April 2025.
” Disposals were reported for paper, cardboard, and related goods, which cost 1.7 percent less than the previous year.
“Goods and Consumption”
Investment goods were 2.0 percent higher in April 2026 than a year ago (+0.3 percent from March 2026). Machinery cost 1.9 percent more, and prices for automobiles and auto parts rose by 1.3 percent year-over-year. Use goods were 1.9 percent more expensive than a year ago (+0.2 percent from March 2026).
In stark contrast, consumer goods produced and sold in Germany cost 1.0 percent less than the previous year, but 0.2 percent more than in March 2026.
” Overall food prices dropped by 2.5 percent year-over-year, but rose 0.2 percent from March 2026.
” Specifically, butter (-38.8 percent) and pork (-11.0 percent) were dramatically cheaper than in April 2025. Meanwhile, pork prices rose by 3.0 percent from March 2026, and beef was 9.0 percent more expensive than the previous year.