Producer prices increased for the fourth consecutive month in December, driven by a rise in the prices of farm products and semiconductors.

According to preliminary data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the producer price index, a key indicator of future inflation, rose zero-point-four percent to 121-point-76 in December from a month earlier.

The figure marks the fourth straight monthly gain.

Agricultural, forestry and fishery products jumped three-point-four percent in December from the previous month, contributing to the overall rise. 

Prices of industrial goods gained zero-point-four percent, led by a two-point-one percent rise in computers, electronics and optical equipment.

Service prices rose zero-point-two percent, led by a zero-point-seven percent increase in financial services and insurance.