The Producer and Import Price Index rose in January 2022 by 0.6% compared with the previous month, reaching 105.7 points (December 2020 = 100). In particular, petroleum and natural gas saw higher prices. Compared with January 2021, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products rose by 5.4%. These are the results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
In particular, higher prices for gas and watches were responsible for the increase in the producer price index compared with the previous month. Irradiation, electromedical and electrotherapeutic equipment also became more expensive, as did metal products, electricity as well as wiring and wiring devices. In contrast, lower prices were seen for medical and dental instruments and supplies.
The import price index registered higher prices compared with December 2021, particularly for petroleum and natural gas. Rising prices were also seen for non-ferrous metals and products made therefrom, computers and peripheral equipment, other fabricated metal products, vegetables, melons and potatoes. Medical and dental instruments and supplies as well as flat steel products, in contrast, became cheaper.
Applicable prices
The prices of domestic products are surveyed for the domestic market at the first marketing stage (i.e. ex works). These ex works prices include neither valued added tax nor consumption tax (e.g. on tobacco, alcohol or petroleum products).
For exports, net sales prices are surveyed FOB (free on board) which, pursuant to definition, do not include valued added tax.
For imports, prices are surveyed at the Swiss border minus valued added, consumption and customs taxes.
In general, the market prices (transaction prices) for products are surveyed at the time of ordering. Price reductions (discounts) are deducted. Prices in foreign currencies are converted at the exchange rate on the first working day of the survey reference period in Swiss francs. The reference period always covers the period from the 1st to 8th of the survey month. This provision allows the results for the reference month to be calculated and published in the course of the subsequent month.
Producer price index for selected services
Over a period of several years, the producer price index has gradually been extended to the service sector. The latest results are available at (in German only):
https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/prices/producer-prices-import-prices/services.html