"After the Austrian wholesale sector mostly reduced its prices in 2024, we are seeing an increase again at the beginning of 2025," said Statistics Austria Director General Tobias Thomas in a statement on Friday.

Wholesale Prices Increased at the Beginning of the Year: These Are the Reasons

The somewhat stronger price increase in the monthly comparison is partly explained by the fact that some companies adjust their prices not continuously but at the turn of the year. Additionally, the CO2 tax was increased at the beginning of January. The price development varied greatly depending on the product group. While prices for watches and jewelry (+17.5 percent), coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices (+12.9 percent), and non-alcoholic beverages (+11 percent) rose particularly sharply in wholesale on a yearly basis, technical chemicals (-15.2 percent) or solid fuels (-15 percent) became noticeably cheaper.

In the monthly comparison, the statistics authority highlights "other mineral oil products," which became 8.4 percent more expensive. Prices for fruits, vegetables, and potatoes also rose by an average of 5.3 percent. For motor gasoline (including diesel), there was an increase of 5.1 percent. On the other hand, since December, items such as metal construction elements and installation materials (-2.5 percent), scrap materials and residues (-1.5 percent), as well as live animals (-1.4 percent) have become cheaper.

(APA/Red)

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