Wholesale selling prices rose by 6.3 per cent in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). For context, the increase stood at 4.1 per cent year-on-year in March 2026, and 1.2 per cent in February 2026. Destatis noted that the highest year-on-year increase since April 2026 was recorded in February 2023, which posted a rise of 9.5 per cent compared to February 2022.
According to the statistics office, the primary drivers for the price increase in April 2026 were military actions in Iran and the Middle East, which significantly boosted wholesale prices for energy products and raw materials. On a month-on-month basis, wholesale prices increased by 2.0 per cent from March 2026 to April 2026.
The main reason for the overall year-on-year rise in wholesale prices in April 2026 was the escalation in mineral oil products. These prices were, on average, 37.3 per cent higher than those recorded in April 2025, and they also saw a significant jump of 12.7 per cent compared to the preceding month of March 2026.
Other significant increases year-on-year included wholesale non-iron ores, metals, and semi-finished metal products, which rose by 40.2 per cent compared to April 2025. Prices also climbed by 9.3 per cent for flowers and plants, and by 7.3 per cent for chemical products over the same period.
Conversely, several categories saw price declines in April 2026. The wholesale group for dairy products, including milk, dairy goods, eggs, cooking oils, and fats, fell by 7.8 per cent compared to April 2025. Additionally, prices for coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices dropped by 7.5 per cent year-on-year.
