SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Prices for goods and services traded between suppliers rebounded for the first time in five months as the sweltering heat hiked farm goods prices, central bank data showed Monday.
The producer price index (PPI) came in at 101.84 in July, up 0.1 percent from the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
It was the first rebound in five months, ending the downward trend caused by cheaper crude oil.
The rebound was attributed to heat wave during the summer season that increased farm goods prices.
Prices for agricultural products jumped 8.4 percent, with those for lettuce, spinach and cucumber posting a triple-digit increase.
Those for livestock products declined 4 percent on lower egg and chicken prices. Prices for fishery products also shed 1.6 percent.
Services prices gained 0.2 percent in July from a month earlier due to demand for lodging facilities and transport services during the summer vacation season.
Prices for electricity, tap water and natural gas inched down 0.1 percent last month.
