Go to contents
Go to main menu
Go to engine search
top-cross links

In September 2012, the price of oil stabilized

Price of oil and imported raw materials – September 2012

In September, the oil price in dollars sharply slowed down (+0.9% after +9.9% in August). It stood at $113.4 per barrel of Brent. On the contrary, the prices in foreign currencies of commodities except energy imported into France rebounded (+2.6% after -0.4 in August).

The increase of the oil prices brohe off

In September, the price in dollar of the barrel of oil from the North Sea (Brent) sharply slowed down (+0.9% after +9.9%). In euros, the price of the barrel even decreased (-2.8% after +8.8 %), due to the appreciation of the euro against the dollar (+3.7%).

The prices of the industrial raw material recovered

In September, the prices in foreign currencies of industrial raw materials increased again (+4.5% after -3.4% in August). Indeed, the prices of mineral raw materials strongly recovered (+6.9% after -4.1%). The prices of nonferrous metals grew in a steady way (+9.6% after -2.0%), especially copper (+7,7%), aluminium (+11.7%), nickel (+10.0%) and zinc (+10.8%), following the announcement of measures supporting activity in China. Also, the prices of precious metals accelerated (+11.3% after +2.9%), in particular those of silver (+17.1%), platinum (+12.0%) and gold (+7.3%).

On the contrary, the price’s drop of agricultural raw materials continued (-2.1% after –1.5%). The prices of sawn softwood of conifers (-4.5%), of wood pulp (-3.1%) and natural textile fibers (-0.5%) receded. However, the prices of natural rubber recovered (+3.7%), due to the restricting exports measures decided by the three main producing countries, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The prices of raw food materials stabilized

In September, the prices in foreign currencies of raw food materials stabilized (-0.1% after +4.4% in August). The prices of oilseeds fell (-1.8%), mainly those of soya meal (-6.3%) and palm oil (-5.4%). Also, the prices of sugar registered a new reduction (-5.2% after –9.8%), penalized

by the surplus supply on the world market. The prices of cereals folded (-1.1% after +1.7%), in particular those of corn (-5.0%). The prices of tropical foodstuffs continued to grow (+3.1% after 3.0%), in particular those of cocoa (+4.8%) and arabica (+3.7%).

Oil

Oil

Source : INSEE

Food

Food

Source : InNSEE

All commodities

All commodities

Source : INSEE

Industrial raw materials

Industrial raw materials

Source : INSEE

Oil and petroleum products
in dollar
Prices are in dollars per tonne unless otherwise specified
Source : INSEE
Prices Change (%)
of last month over the last month over the last 3 months over the last 12 months
Brent in $ per barrel 113.4 0.9 17.6 2.4
Brent in € per barrel 88.1 –2.8 14.5 9.5
Gasoline in $per litter 0.86 7.9 24.6 15.7
Gas Oil 986.0 2.2 16.9 5.3
Heavy fuel 700.4 1.3 17.4 9.0
Naphta 967.5 3.6 32.2 2.4
Imported raw materials (excluding energy) in domestic currency
base 100 in 2000
Source: INSEE
Index Changes (%)
over the last month over the last 3 months over the last 12 months
Food total 286.3 –0.1 12.2 8.5
Tropical foodstuff 241.0 3.1 11.4 –12.9
Oil seeds, vegetable oils 381.7 –1.8 22.1 38.2
Cereals 317.1 –1.1 6.3 2.2
Sugar 239.0 –5.2 –4.8 –29.7
Beef meat 166.6 1.0 –0.3 5.9
Industrial raw materials 241.8 4.5 –0.1 –16.0
Agricultural raw materials 138.2 –2.1 –4.4 –13.9
Natural Fibers 173.0 –0.5 0.4 –28.6
Natural rubber 340.8 3.7 –7.8 –39.2
Hides 107.7 –0.5 2.2 4.6
Wood pulp 116.9 –3.1 –6.4 –17.0
Tropical wood 145.2 2.5 1.8 –7.7
Sawn softwood 115.1 –4.5 –1.3 18.1
Minerals 298.2 6.9 1.4 –16.7
Iron ore 799.0 –7.7 –26.1 –43.9
Non-ferrous metals 237.2 9.6 7.5 –9.2
Precious metals 450.3 11.3 13.1 –6.3
All commodities 247.5 2.6 4.5 –7.7

Informations Rapides

n° 255 - October 12, 2012

Prices of oil and raw material imports - September 2012

Next issue July 12th 2013 - June 2013

New

Since July 2009, display of the Informations Rapides has changed.