July 2014 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes

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U.S. import prices declined 0.2 percent in July, after increasing each of the 2 previous months, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The July decrease was driven by falling fuel prices. Prices for U.S. exports were unchanged in July following a 0.4-percent decrease in June. In July, declining agricultural prices offset higher nonagricultural prices.

Imports

All Imports: Overall import prices fell 0.2 percent in July, the first monthly decline for the index since a 0.6-percent drop in April. Import prices ticked up 0.1 percent in June and rose 0.3 percent in May. The price index for overall imports advanced 0.8 percent over the past 12 months, a similar movement to the 0.9- percent increase from July 2012 to July 2013. Both higher fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the most recent year-over-year increase, in contrast to the rise for the year ended in July 2013 which was driven solely by higher fuel prices.

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices fell 1.2 percent in July, after rising 1.0 percent in June and 1.3 percent in May. The July decrease was led by a 1.2-percent drop in petroleum prices which more than offset a 1.8- percent increase in natural gas prices. Despite the July decline, import fuel prices rose 2.6 percent over the past year, after increasing 7.7 percent between July 2012 and July 2013. A 1.7-percent rise in petroleum prices and a 44.1-percent jump in natural gas prices both contributed to the year-over-year increase for fuel prices in July.

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel prices were unchanged for the third time in the past 4 months in July, after edging down 0.1 percent in June. The price indexes for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and consumer goods all rose in July, but lower automotive vehicles prices offset the increases. Capital goods prices were unchanged. Prices for nonfuel imports advanced 0.4 percent for the year ended in July, led by 0.3-percent increases in March and January.

Exports

All Exports: Prices for overall exports recorded no change in July following a 0.4-percent decline in June. Export prices fell 1.3 percent over the past 4 months, after increasing 1.7 percent over February and March. Overall, the price index for U.S. exports rose 0.4 percent over the past 12 months. Rising nonagricultural prices between July 2013 and July 2014 more than offset a drop in agricultural prices.

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports fell 2.2 percent in July, the largest monthly drop since the index fell 4.2 percent in August 2013. The July decline followed a 1.7-percent decrease the previous month. A 5.6-percent decline in soybean prices, a 7.6-percent drop in corn prices, and an 8.2- percent decrease in cotton prices were the largest contributors to the July decline. Agricultural export prices fell 2.9 percent over the past year, driven by lower prices for soybeans, corn, and vegetables.

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices advanced 0.3 percent in July following a 0.3-percent decline in June. The July increase was led by higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and consumer goods. Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent and automotive vehicles prices were unchanged.

SELECTED JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China fell 0.2 percent in July, the largest monthly decline since a 0.6-percent drop in May 2013. The July decrease was led by a 0.2-percent decrease in computer and electronic products prices. Despite the July decline, prices for imports from China advanced 0.3 percent over the past year. The price index for imports from Japan decreased 0.3 percent in July, after recording no change the previous month. Import prices from Japan have trended down since the end of 2012 and fell 1.6 percent over the past 12 months. Prices for imports from Mexico and Canada also declined in July, decreasing 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, import prices from the European Union ticked up 0.1 percent in July.

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices increased 0.5 percent in July following a 0.2-percent decline in June. The July advance was driven by 5.8-percent rises in the price indexes for gold and other precious metals.

Finished Goods: The price index for import automotive vehicles declined 0.8 percent in July, the first monthly decrease for the index since a 0.1-percent decline in February and the largest 1-month drop since the index fell 1.1 percent in December 1992. The July decline was driven by a 1.1-percent drop in passenger car prices. In contrast, consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent in July, after recording no change in each of the 2 previous months. Capital goods prices were unchanged in July.

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.0 percent in July following a 1.6-percent decrease in June. Higher prices for meat, alcohol, coffee, and vegetables all contributed to the increase in July.

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 2.8 percent in July, the first monthly drop since a 3.4-percent decline in March. The July decrease was led by a 5.3-percent decline in European fares. Despite the July drop, import air passenger fares increased 2.6 percent over the past 12 months. Import air freight prices decreased 0.3 percent in July, but rose 1.8 percent over the past year.

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 0.9 percent in July, after falling 0.9 percent the previous month. The July increase was driven by a 4.2-percent rise in nonferrous metal prices, although a 0.5-percent advance in fuel prices also contributed to the increase.

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods areas were mixed in July. Consumer goods prices rose 0.3 percent, led by a 1.7-percent advance for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. In contrast, capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent, driven by a 1.2-percent drop in computers, peripherals, and semiconductor prices. Automotive vehicles prices were unchanged in July.

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 3.5 percent in July following a 4.8-percent increase in June. The index increased 0.4 percent for the year ended in July, led by a 3.3-percent rise in Asian fares. The price index for export air freight fell 0.2 percent in July, but increased 9.4 percent over the past 12 months.

Import and Export Price Index data for August 2014 are scheduled for release on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).