According to the Department of Forecasts and Economic Studies (Dpee), on the raw materials market,
prices fell significantly in March 2020 as a result of supply disruptions
but also the contraction in demand linked to the pandemic.
On a monthly basis, the price indices of energy and non-energy products recorded
respective decreases of 35.3% and 3.7%. The sharp fall in the energy price index would result
mainly from the decline in oil prices (-39.6%).
The prices of agricultural products and those of metals and ores, falling respectively by 3.1% and 5.9%,
essentially contributed to the decline in the price index of non-energy products. On the plane
food, the price index fell again in March 2020 (-4.3%), mainly due to the
sugar (-19.1%), vegetable oils (-12%), dairy products (-3%), cereals (-1.9%) and meat
(-0.6%) to a lesser extent.
On a year-on-year basis, the food product price index, on the other hand, increased by 2.7%, driven by
vegetable oils (+9%) and meat (+7%).