Eastern European statistical briefs

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first two months of this year was 67% higher than in the same period in 2005. Hungarian leather industry companies saw their sales increase by 69.1% year-on-year in January and February, with sales on the domestic market 5.5% higher, and on export markets 93.1% higher, than in the corresponding period last year. Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported raw livestock hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$31.5 million in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in January and February were 25.2% higher year-on-year at US$17.2 million Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in the first quarter of this year was 15.9% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in the first quarter was 6.4% higher year-on-year. Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Bosnia and Herzegovina in March was 8.7% higher than in February and 23.6% higher than in March 2005. In comparison, the monthly and annual increases in industrial output in Bosnia and Herzegovina in March were 12.5% and 5.9% respectively. Slovenia's Statistical Office reports that purchases of livestock for slaughter in Slovenia in the first two months of this year were 11.9% higher in value terms than in the same period in 2005. Poland's Central Statistical Office reports that the average purchase price of cattle for slaughter in Poland in March was 1.4% higher than in February and 0.3% higher than in March 2005.