Manufacturing prices rose in September compared to a month earlier, fuelled by rises in computer equipment, food and pharmaceutical products.

The latest data from the Central Statistics Office showed that monthly factory gate prices were 1.2 per cent higher compared to August, and were flat compared to September last year.

Computer, electronic and optical products rose by 2.3 per cent, while food products gained 1.7 per cent. Basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations were 1.5 per cent higher.

Electrical equipment declined 1.4 per cent in the month.

The annual rise now stands at 0.2 per cent, compared with a decrease of 1 per cent in the year to August 2011.

Dairy products rose 8.4 per cent over the year, and meat products were 7.7 per cent higher. Computer products were 3.6 per cent lower over the year.

Over the month, the price index for export sales rose by 1.5 per cent. The index for home sales edged slightly higher, gaining 0.1 per cent.

On an annual basis, there was a fall of 0.7 per cent in the price index for export sales, while the home sales index was 4.2 per cent higher.