Factory gate prices for UK-manufactured goods increased 4.0% year-on-year in April 2026, more than market expectations of a 2.8% rise and accelerating from an upwardly revised 3.0% growth in March. This marked the highest reading since May 2023, as all 10 product groups made upward contributions to the annual rate, led by a surge in prices of coke and refined petroleum products (52.6% vs 23.7% in March) amid higher energy costs. Inflation also picked up for other manufacturing outputs (2.7% vs 2.6%) while remained steady for basic metals, fabricated metal products, and machinery (at 3.7%). Meanwhile, price growth slowed mainly for food products (0.5% vs 1.7%) and motor vehicles and other transport equipment (2.1% vs 2.4%). On a monthly basis, factory gate prices rose 1.4%, matching the pace recorded in March and topping market forecasts of a 1.0% increase.