MALAYSIA’S producer price index (PPI) for September 2022 increased by 4.9% year on year, although this eased from the 6.8% recorded in the previous month, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said.

In a statement, it said that although the manufacturing index for September saw an increase of 8.1%, followed by water (4.3%), and electricity and gas (1.2%) indices, these were offset by a decline in the index of agriculture, forestry and fishing (15.5%).

“On the other hand, the mining index remained unchanged as the same month of the previous year,” it said.

The department said for a monthly comparison, PPI local production posted a decline for four consecutive months to record 1.4% in September 2022.

“All sectors recorded a decline except for the water supply index, which rose 1.1%. 

“The index of agriculture, forestry and fishing fell by 5.3% and was followed by the indices of mining (4.9%), manufacturing (0.7%) and electricity and gas supply (0.2%),” it said.

The department added that PPI local production recorded an increase of 6.5% in the third quarter of 2022 (Q3 2022), down from 11.1% in Q2 2022.

“The increase was supported by the indices of manufacturing (9.1%), mining (4.9%), water (3.1%) and electricity and gas (0.9%).

However, the incline was also offset by a decrease of 12.1% posted by the agriculture, forestry and fishing index,” it added.

In terms of PPI local production by stage of processing, crude materials for further processing index continued to decline by 6.4% in September 2022, the department said.

Furthermore, it said the intermediate materials, supplies and components index increased by 10.0%, while the finished goods index edged up 3.1%.

“For a monthly comparison, the index of crude materials for further processing declined by 5.4%, followed by the intermediate materials, supplies and components index (0.8%).

“However, the finished goods index increased 0.2%,” it said. – Bernama, October 28, 2022.