January 2013 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes — 2013-02-13

The price index for U.S. imports increased 0.6 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, following declines of 0.5 percent and 0.7 percent the previous two months. The January upturn was primarily led by higher fuel prices. U.S. export prices rose 0.3 percent in January after declining 0.1 percent in December and 0.6 percent in November. All Imports: Import prices increased 0.6 percent in January, the first monthly advance since a 0.3 percent rise in October. Higher fuel prices were the largest contributor to the January advance, although nonfuel prices also increased. Despite the January rise, import prices declined 1.3 percent over the past year and have not risen on a 12-month basis since the index increased 0.8 percent between April 2011 and April 2012. Fuel Imports: Prices for fuel imports rose 2.4 percent in January after falling 2.0 percent in December and 2.2 percent in November.