The Producer Price Index (PPI) for the Mining & Quarrying industry recorded an index of 175.5 representing a 0.4 per cent increase in output prices for May 2008. For the Manufacturing industry output prices increased by 1.6 per cent for the same period, this was mainly due to a 10.1 per cent rise in the index for ‘Refined Petroleum Products,’ which was moderated by a 0.5 percent increase in the index for ‘Food, Beverages & Tobacco’.

The point to point movement in the index for the period May 2007 to May 2008 reflected a 17.4 per cent increase for the Mining & Quarrying industry. For the same twelve month period, the index for the Manufacturing industry experienced a 26.9 per cent increase, this was attributed to a similar rise in the index for the major group, ‘Food, Beverages & Tobacco’ and a 60.4 per cent upward movement in the index for ‘Refined Petroleum Products’.

The 2008/2009 fiscal year to date output prices rose by 0.4 per cent for the Mining & Quarrying and 1.6 per cent for the Manufacturing industry.

The Producer Price Index May 2008 Bulletin provides detailed information on the movement of producer prices and is available at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s Distribution Centre located at 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10. PPI data are also published on the STATIN website at www.statinja.com