Producer prices for manufactured goods saw a 2.2 percent increase in May 2026 compared to May 2025. This is a higher year-over-year rise than was recorded in May 2023 (which showed a 2.5 percent increase compared to May 2022). According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), producer prices rose by 0.3 percent in May 2026 compared to April 2026.
The increase in producer prices compared to the previous year is primarily attributed to higher costs for imported raw materials, which rose by 4.2 percent. Energy prices also increased by 2.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, both capital goods and consumer goods were more expensive in May 2026 than they were a year earlier (both rose by 2.0 percent). Conversely, consumer goods became cheaper, dropping by 1.7 percent. If energy costs are excluded, producer prices rose by 2.3 percent in May 2026 versus May 2025, and by 0.7 percent versus April 2026.
Energy prices were 2.5 percent higher in May 2026 than they were a year ago. However, this was a slight decrease of 0.4 percent compared to April 2026. Due to ongoing military actions in Iran and the Middle East, crude oil product prices remained near the high levels reached in April 2026. Compared to May 2025, mineral oil prices jumped by 34.9 percent, although they decreased by 2.5 percent from April 2026. Refined naphtha cost 60.9 percent more than in May 2025, while light heating oil prices rose by 52.8 percent and fuel prices increased by 24.2 percent.
In contrast, natural gas and electricity saw price reductions in May 2026 compared to the previous year, a trend also influenced by the persistently high prices since the start of the war in Ukraine. Gas prices in distribution fell by 1.3 percent across all consumer groups. Electricity prices declined by 4.6 percent compared to May 2025, and district heating was 0.5 percent cheaper than a year ago.
Raw material prices were 4.2 percent higher in May 2026 versus May 2025, and rose by 1.4 percent compared to April 2026. This price surge was mainly driven by higher metal costs, which climbed by 11.1 percent. Precious metals, in particular, rose sharply by 59.4 percent. To purchase copper and related semi-finished products, consumers had to pay 24.5 percent more than the previous year. Other metals, including crude iron, steel, and ferroalloys, were also more expensive in May 2026 (+1.5 percent), with reinforcing steel rising by 5.0 percent.
The costs of basic chemicals rose by 10.4 percent year-over-year, climbing 5.8 percent just compared to April 2026. Fertilizers were 13.2 percent more expensive than a year ago and 2.5 percent pricier than in April 2026.
Wood and wood/cork products also saw price increases, with costs rising by 5.8 percent compared to the previous year. This included saw-cut softwood (+8.5 percent) and leaf-cut softwood (+2.9 percent). Significant increases were seen in pellets, briquettes, and logs, which rose by 24.1 percent year-over-year, though they fell by 3.5 percent from April 2026.
Prices for glass and glassware increased by 2.7 percent compared to the year before. Finished and processed flat glass was 5.3 percent more expensive, while the price of hollow glass decreased by 1.5 percent versus May 2025.
Price declines compared to May 2025 were also noted for paper, cardboard, and related products, which were 1.5 percent cheaper. Animal feed (-3.0 percent) and grain flour (-3.8 percent) were also significantly cheaper than they were in May 2025.
Capital goods were 2.0 percent higher in May 2026 against the previous year (+0.1 percent compared to April 2026). Machines cost 1.9 percent more than in May 2025, and the prices for cars and car parts rose by 1.3 percent.
Consumer goods were 2.0 percent more expensive in May 2026 compared to the previous year (+0.2 percent compared to April 2026). However, domestically produced and sold consumer goods cost 1.7 percent less than the previous year and 0.2 percent less than in April 2026. Overall, food prices within consumer goods fell by 3.6 percent. Butter (-40.0 percent) and pork (-16.7 percent) were noticeably cheaper than in May 2025. Beef was 1.0 percent more expensive than a year ago but declined by 4.0 percent from April 2026, according to the federal office.
