In September 2026, producer prices for goods in Germany saw a substantial increase of 6.7 percent compared to the same month in the previous year. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), this represented the strongest year-over-year increase since March 2023, which had a rise of 7.5 percent. Month-over-month, producer prices climbed by 1.9 percent.
This overall rise is primarily attributed to higher energy prices, which increased by 14.9 percent. Prices for intermediate goods also rose significantly by 6.4 percent compared to the previous year. Other categories, including capital goods (2.4 percent) and consumer goods (2.2 percent), were also more expensive than in September 2025. Conversely, consumer goods were cheaper, decreasing by 1.8 percent. When energy costs are excluded, producer prices rose by 3.2 percent compared to September 2025, and by 0.1 percent from August 2026.
For energy specifically, prices were 14.9 percent higher than in the previous year, and they increased by 5.8 percent compared to August 2026. Due to the conflicts in Iran and the Middle East, mineral oil products were 51.3 percent more expensive than in September 2025, rising by 8.2 percent from August 2026. Crude naphtha cost 53.8 percent more than in September 2025, while light heating oil was 91.8 percent more expensive and fuels rose by 48.6 percent.
In distribution, natural gas cost 15.0 percent more across all consumer groups than in the same month last year. Electricity prices increased by 8.2 percent compared to September 2025, while district heating was cheaper by 0.5 percent.
Intermediate goods were 6.4 percent more expensive than in the previous year (a rise of 0.2 percent from August 2026). The primary driver for this year-over-year surge was the increase in metal prices (14.0 percent). Prices for copper and derived alloys, in particular, saw a marked increase of 31.4 percent, and precious metals demanded 26.5 percent more than the previous year. Furthermore, raw iron, steel, and ferroalloys were costlier in September 2026 (up 8.4 percent), with reinforcing steel specifically climbing 7.0 percent. Prices for basic chemical raw materials increased by 11.3 percent year-over-year, and fertilizers were 8.9 percent more expensive.
Wood and cork products were also pricier (up 7.1 percent), including sawn softwood (up 6.9 percent) and sawn hardwood (up 2.0 percent). Significant price increases occurred for pellets, briquettes, and firewood, which rose by 38.5 percent year-over-year.
Regarding materials, glass and glass products saw a modest increase of 0.1 percent year-over-year. Refined and processed flat glass was 1.0 percent more expensive, and hollow glass prices increased by 0.1 percent compared to September 2025. Paper, cardboard, and related goods cost 1.6 percent more than in the previous year.
Capital goods were 2.4 percent higher than in September 2025 (and up 0.1 percent from August 2026). Machine prices increased by 2.1 percent since September 2025, and the cost of cars and car parts rose by 2.0 percent. Similarly, general consumer goods were 2.2 percent more expensive than in September 2025 (and up 0.2 percent from August 2026).
In contrast, domestically produced consumer goods in Germany were cheaper by 1.8 percent compared to the previous month, though they were 0.2 percent more expensive than in August 2026. Overall, food prices decreased by 4.1 percent. Several specific food items saw marked reductions compared to September 2025, including butter (-34.8 percent), pork (-13.9 percent), and beef (-9.9 percent). However, plant oils and sugar experienced price increases: plant oils rose by 14.5 percent, and sugar increased by 4.1 percent year-over-year.
