The producer price index of agricultural output registered an increase of 1.04 per cent during the third quarter of 2006, compared to the same period of last year.

Underpinning this development were higher prices for fresh vegetables, among which sugar melons, watermelons and dry onions which offset price drops for tomatoes and vegetable marrows. Producer prices for fresh fruit decreased in the third quarter of this year compared to last year, reflecting lower prices, mainly for peaches (–23.85 per cent) and grapes (–29.6 per cent).

Agricultural producers received higher prices for potatoes and lower prices for animal products, among which milk, during the period under review.

The input price index for agriculture rose by 1.34 per cent on an annual basis in the third quarter of 2006. This mainly reflected higher prices for motor fuel. Lower rates of increase were registered in veterinary services and other goods and services used as agricultural inputs.