Construction materials inflation eases in March

Inflation in construction materials eased in March, rising by 1.7% over the year earlier, having increased by 2.4% in February and 2.8% in January.
In 2011 prices rose by 2.7%.
The main change according to Statistical Service data was in prices of electromechanical products, which fell by 1.7% over the year earlier, and wood, insulation, chemicals and plastics materials, which fell by 1.1%.
By contrast, prices of minerals, presumably related to higher international oil prices, rose by 3.8%, while mineral products rose by 4.6%.