U.S. Import Prices Down, Export Prices Up in March - Modern Distribution Management

Log In

U.S. Import Prices Down, Export Prices Up in March

Lower nonfuel prices more than offset a rise in fuel prices in March.
Author
Date

Prices for U.S. imports decreased 0.3 percent in March following a 0.2 percent upturn the previous month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In March, lower nonfuel prices more than offset a rise in fuel prices. The price index for U.S. exports rose in March, ticking up 0.1 percent, after declining 0.2 percent in February.

The 0.2 percent February advance was the first monthly rise since a 0.3 percent increase in June 2014. Prior to February, import prices decreased 10.3 percent from June 2014 to January 2015. U.S. import prices declined 10.5 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 12 percent for the year ended September 2009.

Import fuel prices increased for the second consecutive month in March, rising 0.4 percent, after a 3.9 percent advance in February. Fuel prices had fallen 47.6 percent between June 2014 and January 2015, and despite the recent upturn, declined 45.2 percent over the past 12 months. The increase in March was led by a 0.8 percent advance in petroleum prices, which more than offset a 7.5 percent decrease in natural gas prices. Both the price indexes for petroleum and natural gas fell for the year ended in March, declining 45.1 percent and 59.1 percent, respectively.

Prices for nonfuel imports continued to trend down in March, decreasing 0.4 percent following a 0.3 percent drop the previous month. Nonfuel import prices have not recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.1 percent in July 2014. In March, lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and each of the major finished goods categories contributed to the overall decline in nonfuel import prices. Prices for nonfuel imports fell 1.9 percent over the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year decrease since the index declined 3.1 percent between October 2008 and October 2009.

Share this article

About the Author
Recommended Reading
Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter

The MDM update newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.

Get the MDM Update Newsletter

Wholesale distribution news and trends delivered right to your inbox.

Sign-up for our free newsletter and get:

  • Up-to-date news in a quick-to-read format
  • Free access to webcasts, podcasts and live events
  • Exclusive whitepapers, research and reports
  • And more!

2

articles left

Want more Premium content from MDM?

Subscribe today and get:

  • New issues twice each month
  • Unlimited access to mdm.com, including 10+ years of archived data
  • Current trends analysis, market data and economic updates
  • Discounts on select store products and events

Subscribe to continue reading

MDM Premium Subscribers get:

  • Unlimited access to MDM.com
  • 1 year digital subscription, with new issues twice a month
  • Trends analysis, market data and quarterly economic updates
  • Deals on select store products and events

1

article
left

You have one free article remaining

Subscribe to MDM Premium to get unlimited access. Your subscription includes:

  • Two new issues a month
  • Access to 10+ years of archived data on mdm.com
  • Quarterly economic updates, trends analysis and market data
  • Store and event discounts

To continue reading, you must be an MDM Premium subscriber.

Join other distribution executives who use MDM Premium to optimize their business. Our insights and analysis help you enter the right new markets, turbocharge your sales and marketing efforts, identify business partners that help you scale, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Register for full access

By providing your email, you agree to receive announcements from us and our partners for our newsletter, events, surveys, and partner resources per MDM Terms & Conditions. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Learn More about Custom Reports

Request a Market Prospector Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.