Prices paid for imports into Germany rose 10.4% in September compared with the same month last year. That followed an annual increase of 8.3% in August. Prices were also 2.1% higher than in the previous month. Export prices, by contrast, were up 5.3% on September a year earlier.
A manufacturer importing components and selling finished goods abroad encounters both sides of this price movement. The gap between the two indices is not a measure of its profit margin. Imported and exported goods form different baskets, and an individual manufacturer rarely buys or sells at prices matching the national averages.
Purchasing arrangements also affect timing. A buyer sourcing material at spot prices can experience a change well before a competitor operating under a fixed-price supply agreement. Stocks bought earlier add a further delay before new prices enter production costs. The release therefore gives a clear signal about border prices while leaving open the question of when costs will reach particular products.