Informations rapides
10 June 2011
2011
In May 2011, the prices of the imported commodities declined Prices of oil and raw material imports - May 2011

In May, the price of oil in dollars fell (-6.9% after +7.9% in April) to $115.1 per barrel of Brent. The foreign currency prices for non-energy commodities imported in France also fell (-3.8% after +0.3% in April).

In May, the price of oil in dollars fell (-6.9% after +7.9% in April) to $115.1 per barrel of Brent. The foreign currency prices for non-energy commodities imported in France also fell (-3.8% after +0.3% in April).

The price of oil decreased

In May, the prices in dollars of oil from the North Sea (Brent) declined (-6.9% after +7.9%). In euros, the decline in oil prices has been slightly lower (-6.1%) due to the depreciation of the euro against the dollar (-0.8%). The continuing rise in oil price since mid-2010 (+65.4% in dollars between June 2010 and April 2011) was then interrupted.

The prices of industrial raw materials folded

In May, the prices of industrial raw materials in foreign currencies fell (-4.5% after +0.9%). The prices of mineral raw materials also fell (-4.0% after +1.7%). The prices of precious metals have been returned (-5.5% after +9.4%), in particular the price of silver (-12.4% after +17.2%). The prices of nonferrous metals have also folded (-4.8% after +1.7%) for copper and aluminium, which accounted for +24.8% of non-energy commodities imported in France in 2010, they fell respectively by 5.9% and 2.7%.

Meanwhile, the falling of the prices of agro-industrial raw materials increased (-6.0% after -1.5%). The prices of sawn timber of conifers highly folded (-13.5%) and those of natural rubber (-9.2%) and natural textiles fibers (-19.8%). In particular, cotton prices fell sharply (-22.6%) because of bumper crops in the Southern Hemisphere (Brazil and Australia).

Lower prices of raw food materials continued

In May, the prices of raw food in foreign currencies declined again (-2.5% after –0.7%). Sugar prices continued to fall sharply (-14.1% after –9.7% in April already) because of improved prospects for crops in major producing countries. Prices of beef meat also fell (-5.9%) and those of cereals decreased slightly (-0.5%), mainly corn (-4.3%).

tabpetroleOil and petroleum products

in dollar
Oil and petroleum products (in dollar)
Prices Change (%)
of last month over the last month over the last 3 months over the last 12 months
Brent in $ per barrel 115,1 –6,9 11,2 52,0
Brent in € per barrel 80,3 –6,1 5,9 33,0
Gasoline 1072,1 –5,9 22,2 48,3
Gas Oil 937,5 –8,3 6,5 43,6
Heavy fuel 603,6 –4,4 11,7 43,7
Naphta 1038,6 –1,3 18,5 52,2
  • Prices are in dollars per tonne unless otherwise specified
  • Source : INSEE

tabmatpremImported raw materials (excluding energy) in domestic currency

base 100 in 2000
Imported raw materials (excluding energy) in domestic currency (base 100 in 2000)
Index Changes (%)
over last month over the last 3 months over the last 12 months
Food total 268,5 –2,5 –3,6 26,4
Tropical beverages 298,4 –1,2 –3,4 29,5
Oil seeds, vegetable oils 290,7 –0,9 –3,1 30,8
Cereals 284,5 –0,5 –1,8 39,7
Sugar 268,3 –14,1 –31,2 49,6
Beef meat 158,4 –5,9 2,2 4,9
Industrial raw materials 269,1 –4,5 –4,1 17,0
Agricultural raw materials 160,6 –6,0 –8,1 5,5
Natural Fibers 323,4 –19,8 –19,3 82,5
Natural rubber 548,4 –9,2 –15,9 45,1
Hides 105,1 –4,6 –8,1 –8,8
Wood pulp 147,2 0,7 5,2 5,6
Tropical wood 158,6 1,5 3,0 14,3
Sawn softwood 88,3 –13,5 –21,3 –16,6
Minerals 327,8 –4,0 –2,7 21,4
Iron ore 622,6 0,0 –2,3 1,6
Non-ferrous metals 287,6 –4,8 –4,6 23,3
Precious metals 446,0 –5,5 11,1 47,0
All commodities 258,6 –3,8 –3,9 20,3
  • Source : INSEE

G_petrole_angOil

G_alim_angFood

  • Source : INSEE
  • Source : INSEE

G_ensemble_angAll commodities

  • Source : INSEE

G_indus_angIndustrial raw materials

  • Source : INSEE

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