Producer prices up 0.8 % in EU

Producer prices in the European Union rose 0.8 percent in February from January, Eurostat, the region's data office, said Tuesday. Producer prices also rose 0.6 percent In the 17-member eurozone, the area that shares the euro as currency, Eurostat said. Compared to a year ago in February, prices for industrial producers rose 4.3 percent in the 27-member European Union and 3.6 percent in the eurozone, both figures one tick lower than the 12-month rise posted in January. Excluding the frequently volatile category of energy prices, prices rose 1.7 percent in the eurozone and 2 percent in the EU from February 2011 to February 2012, Eurostat said. Energy prices rose 9.3 percent in the eurozone over 12 months and 9.7 percent in the EU, the data office said.