Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 0.9 per cent in February 2010, according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union . It was one per cent in January.

In a separate statement, Eurostat said on March 2 2010 that in January 2010 compared with December 2009, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.7 per cent in the euro area and by 0.9 per cent in the EU27.

In December 2009, prices increased by 0.1 per cent in both zones.

In January 2010 compared with January 2009, industrial producer prices fell by one per cent in the euro area , but rose by 0.1 per cent in the EU 27.

In January 2010, compared with the previous month, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 0.2 per cent in both the euro area and the EU27 .

Prices in the energy sector rose by two per cent and 2.4 per cent, respectively.

In both zones, intermediate goods gained 0.5 per cent, durable consumer goods 0.2 per cent and non-durable consumer goods 0.1 per cent. Capital goods remained stable in the euro area and increased by 0.1 per cent in the EU27 .

On a monthly basis, among EU member states for which data are available, the highest increases in the total index were recorded in Malta (+17.2 per cent), Denmark (+3.9 per cent), Finland and Sweden (both +1.9 per cent).

Decreases were observed in Slovakia (‑1.7 per cent), Latvia (-0.5 per cent), the Netherlands (-0.3 per cent) and Ireland (-0.2 per cent).
in the EU27 .