January 2007 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes

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- JANUARY 2007 -

The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 1.2 percent in January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The decline followed a 1.1 percent rise in December and was led by a 7.3 percent downturn in petroleum prices. Export prices rose 0.3 percent in January, after increasing 0.7 percent the previous month.

Import Goods

Import prices fell 1.2 percent in January after increases of 1.1 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, in December and November. A 7.3 percent decrease in petroleum prices drove the overall January drop, as petroleum prices resumed a recent downward pattern after increasing 4.6 percent in December. Nonpetroleum prices were unchanged in January after a 0.5 percent advance the previous month. Prices for nonpetroleum imports rose 1.6 percent over the 12 months ended in January.

Changes in prices for nonpetroleum imports were highlighted by a turnaround in the index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices, which declined 1.0 percent. The January decrease followed increases of 1.7 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, in December and November. The drop in nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices was driven by a downturn in natural gas prices. In the previous two months, natural gas prices had led the advance in nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices. Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent, declining for the first time since a 0.1 percent decrease in April 2006.

In contrast, the price index for consumer goods rose 0.3 percent. The increase in consumer goods prices was driven by higher prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical preparatory materials. The price indexes for foods, feeds, and beverages and for automotive vehicles also increased in January, advancing 1.5 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. A 4.9 percent increase in vegetables prices led the January rise in foods, feeds, and beverages prices. In December, the index for foods, feeds, and beverages had increased 0.7 percent. The modest increase in prices for automotive vehicles in January followed a 0.1 percent drop in December.

Export Goods

Export prices increased 0.3 percent in January as higher prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the rise. The advance in the prices for overall exports followed increases of 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively, in December and November. For the year ended in January, export prices rose 4.1 percent. The 0.7 percent increase in agricultural prices was led by higher prices for vegetables and meat, which more than offset lower prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans. Agricultural prices rose 13.5 percent over the past 12 months. Nonagricultural prices also increased in January, rising 0.3 percent.

A 0.3 percent advance in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices led the January increase in nonagricultural prices. Metals prices continued to rise in January. However, prices for fuels and lubricants, up over the past 12 months, fell in January. For the year ended in January, nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices rose 8.4 percent.

Prices for each of the major finished goods areas also increased in January. The price index for capital goods, which makes up about 40 percent of overall exports, rose 0.2 percent for the month and 0.9 percent over the past year. Automotive vehicles prices increased 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. Prices for automotive vehicles rose 1.5 percent for the year ended in January. The price index for consumer goods advanced 0.8 percent for the month and 2.4 percent for the January 2006-2007 period.

Imports by Locality of Origin

Import prices from Japan ticked up 0.1 percent in January, the first increase since a 0.2 percent rise in June 2006. Prices of imports from Japan decreased 0.4 percent over the past 12 months. For the second consecutive month, import prices from China recorded no change. Over the past year, prices of imports from China declined 0.8 percent.

Prices for imports from Canada and Mexico decreased in January, led by lower petroleum prices. Import prices from Canada declined 1.6 percent for the month after advances of 1.9 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively, in December and November. Prices for imports from Canada fell 2.3 percent for the January 2006-2007 period. Import prices from Mexico decreased 0.4 percent for the month. Despite the January decline, prices of imports from Mexico increased 2.0 percent over the past 12 months.

In contrast, prices of imports from the European Union rose in January, increasing 0.5 percent. Import prices from the European Union advanced 4.4 percent for the year ended in January.

Import and Export Services

Import air passenger fares fell 2.1 percent in January after increasing 3.3 percent in December. In January, the decrease was led by a 9.9 percent drop in Asian fares. Despite declines in five of the past six months, import air passenger fares increased 7.0 percent over the past 12 months. Export air passenger fares increased 3.3 percent in January, following a 0.9 percent upturn in December. The index rose 6.9 percent over the past year.

Prices for import air freight rose 0.8 percent in January following a 1.0 percent increase the previous month. Higher air freight prices from both Europe and Asia, up 2.6 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, contributed to the increase. Import air freight prices rose 4.3 percent for the year ended in January. The price index for export air freight increased 1.5 percent in January and rose 6.0 percent over the past 12 months.