The decline was primarily attributed to ongoing deflation in manufacturing (-7.9% vs -7.7% in November) and electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning supply (-3.7% vs 4.9%).

Moreover, prices also decelerated for mining & quarrying (2.6% vs 3.3%), and water supply, sewerage, waste management & remediation activities (3% vs 3.2%).

On a monthly basis, the producer price index (PPI) decreased by 0.8% in December, following an upwardly revised 1.2% fall in the prior month.