KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): The Producer Price Index’s (PPI) local production increased 2.7% in February 2021, compared to -0.1% in January 2021, the first positive shift after experiencing negative growth for 11 consecutive months since March 2020.

“The index of agriculture, forestry and fishing continued to increase at 35%, compared with 22.6% in the previous month. The indices of manufacturing and water supply increased 1.5% and 0.8% respectively,” Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said.

The index of mining recorded a negative change of -11%, improving from -28.3% in January 2021, while the index of electricity and gas supply recorded a decrease of 1.9%, similar to the previous month, he said in a statement here today.

On a monthly basis, the PPI’s local production showed an increase of 1.5% in February 2021, lower than the 2% recorded in the previous month. The manufacturing and agriculture as well as forestry and fishing sectors increased with a slower growth of 0.5% (January 2021: 1.3%) and 2.2% (January 2021: 3%) respectively.

However, the mining sector recorded a higher growth of 12.9%, compared with 11.3% a month ago. Electricity and gas supply also recorded a positive growth of 0.3% (January 2021: -0.1%). Meanwhile, the index of water supply decreased 0.4%.

The DOSM also reported that the PPI’s local production year-on-year (y-o-y) for all stages of processing recorded an increase in February 2021.

A higher increase was recorded by crude materials for further processing with a growth of 10% (January 2021: -3.4%). Concurrently, the indices of intermediate materials, supplies and components as well as finished goods increased 1.5% and 0.4% respectively.

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