The industrial producer price index rose by 1.2 percent in euro area and 1.3 percent in the whole European Union region, compared to the previous month, the EU's statistical office said yesterday.

Compared with May 2007, the industrial producer prices gained 7.1 percent in the euro area which covers 15 countries, and 8.9 percent in all the 27 EU member states.

The Eurostat, the EU's statistical office, indicates that prices in the energy sector saw big increase, with 4.1 percent in the euro area and 3.3 percent in the whole EU from April. Prices excluding the energy sector only rose by 0.3 percent and 0.4 percent respectively.

Non-durable consumer goods rose by 0.1 percent in the euro area and by 0.3 percent in the EU.

Denmark, with an increase of 3.0 percent, saw the biggest hike, followed by Greece and Britain. Sweden recorded a decline of 0.3 percent and has the lowest increase rate.

In May 2008, compared with May 2007, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 3.8 percent in the euro area and by 4.3 percent in the EU. Prices in the energy sector rose by 18.2 percent and 22.7 percent respectively.

The index of producer prices shows changes in the ex-works sale prices of all products sold on the domestic markets of the various countries, excluding imports.