Informations rapides
9 September 2011
2011
In August 2011, prices of the imported commodities folded Prices of oil and raw material imports - August 2011

In August, the price of oil in dollars has folded sharply(-5.5%) after increasing in July (+2,3%). It stood at $110.1 per barrel Brent. The foreign currency prices for non-energy commodities imported into France have also declined(-1.8% after +1.6% in July).

Informations rapides
Paru le :Paru le09/09/2011
Prochaine parution le : 20/09/2024 at 12:00 - August 2024

In August, the price of oil in dollars has folded sharply (-5.5%) after increasing in July (+2,3%). It stood at $110.1 per barrel Brent. The foreign currency prices for non-energy commodities imported into France have also declined (-1.8% after +1.6% in July).

The price of oil fell off again

In August, the dollar price of oil from the North Sea (Brent) has declined (-5.5% after +2.3%). In euros, the decline in oil price was slightly higher (-5.8% after +3.1% in July), due to the appreciation of European currency against the dollar (+0.3%). Since summer 2010, the rise in oil prices was nevertheless very strong (+43.0% in dollars and +28.7% in euros).

The prices of industrial raw materials declined

In August, the prices of industrial raw materials in foreign currencies fell (-3.0% after +1.9%). The prices of mineral raw materials have registered a strong decline (-3.1% after +2.0%). Indeed, the prices of nonferrous metals (-5.6%) decreased, especially those of lead (-10.4%), zinc (-8,1%) and copper (-6.0%). Conversely, the prices of precious metals have accelerated (+7.4% after +3.8%), mainly those of gold (+11.6%) and silver (+6.3%), confirming their status as a safe haven.

The prices of agro-industrial raw materials were down (-2.5% after +1.4% in July), including those of sawn timber of conifers (-8.4% after +8.9%). Meanwhile, the prices of natural textiles fibers continued to fall, but less strongly than in July (-7,3% after -15,4%), diminishing the decline of cotton prices (-6.7% after -18.6%).

The rise in the prices of raw food materials decreased

In August, the prices of raw food in foreign currencies have increased weakly (+0.3% after +1.0%). The prices of imported cereals rebounded (+6.8% after -2.4%), as a result of sharp increases in prices of rice (+9.1%) and corn (+4.3%). For the corn, the drought in the producing regions in Europe and U.S. darkened in effect the prospects of harvest. For the rice, the announcement by the newly elected government in

Thailand (world’s largest exporter) of measures to support prices paid to domestic producers, encouraged the purchase preventive and sustained the demand. By contrast, the prices of sugar were down (-2.0% after +13.1%) as well as those of tropical produces (-1.9% after +1.9%), including the prices of cocoa (-4.3%).

tabpetroleOil and petroleum products

in dollar
Oil and petroleum products (in dollar)
Prices Change (%)
Over last month over the last month over the last 3 months over the last 12 months
Brent in $ per barrel 110,1 –5,5 –4,3 43,0
Brent in € per barrel 76,8 –5,8 –4,3 28,7
Gasoline 1012,0 –4,0 –5,6 44,6
Gas Oil 939,3 –3,1 0,2 44,2
Heavy fuel 623,1 –1,6 3,2 47,0
Naphtha 1038,6 0,0 0,0 57,5
  • Prices are in dollars per ton 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 last month over the last 3 months over the last 12 months
Food total 270,4 0,3 0,7 21,9
Tropical beverages 287,2 –1,9 –3,7 18,1
Oil seeds, vegetable oils 287,2 –0,5 –1,2 18,6
Cereals 301,7 6,8 6,0 41,1
Sugar 354,5 –2,0 32,1 50,3
Beef meat 161,8 1,9 2,2 17,2
Industrial raw materials 265,5 –3,0 –1,3 13,3
Agricultural raw materials 160,2 –2,5 –0,3 12,1
Natural Fibers 239,0 –7,3 –27,3 33,5
Natural rubber 556,0 0,9 1,4 41,7
Hides 107,0 0,1 1,8 –6,4
Wood pulp 146,7 –0,5 –0,3 3,9
Tropical wood 160,1 0,5 0,9 8,0
Sawn softwood 90,0 –8,4 2,0 5,5
Minerals 322,3 –3,1 –1,7 13,7
Iron ore 615,1 0,0 –1,2 –13,6
Non-ferrous metals 276,8 –5,6 –3,7 15,2
Precious metals 494,0 7,4 10,8 64,3
All commodities 257,1 –1,8 –0,6 16,3
  • 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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