August 2013 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes — 2013-09-12

Prices for U.S. imports were unchanged in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after ticking up 0.1 percent in July. In August, higher fuel prices were offset by declining nonfuel prices. U.S. export prices fell 0.5 percent in August following a 0.1 percent decrease the previous month. All Imports: Import prices have recorded little change the past 2 months, after decreasing 1.8 percent over the prior 4 months. The recent decline contributed to a 0.4 percent drop in import prices for the year ended in August. The decrease from August 2012 to August 2013 was led by lower nonfuel prices, which more than offset higher fuel prices. Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel rose 0.5 percent in August, after advancing 1.8 percent in July. The increases for both months were led by rising petroleum prices, which advanced 0.8 percent in August and 2.7 percent in July.