Input Stories

U.S. import prices rose 0.1% in April, after falling 0.4% in March, with higher nonfuel prices more than offsetting lower fuel prices. Over the past year, import prices inched up 0.1%. Meanwhile, U.S. export prices ticked up 0.1% for the second consecutive month in April. Over the past year, export prices increased 2.0%.

Fuel import prices fell 2.6% in April, following a 3.4% drop in March, with lower prices for natural gas and petroleum driving the decline. Prices for fuel imports plummeted 12.0% from April 2024, the largest over-the-year decline since October 2024. Import prices for petroleum decreased 2.0% over the month in April and 13.3% from last year. Meanwhile, natural gas prices plunged 17.5% in April but jumped 59.9% over the year.

Nonfuel import prices increased 0.4% in April, after slipping 0.1% in March. Higher prices for capital goods, nonfuel industrial supplies, consumer goods and automotive vehicles drove the increase. The price index for nonfuel imports grew 1.2% over the past year, led by higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, automotive vehicles and capital goods.

After edging down 0.2% in March, agricultural export prices rose 0.5% in April. Over the past 12 months, agricultural export prices increased 1.9%. Meanwhile, nonagricultural export prices ticked up 0.1% for a second consecutive month in April. Higher prices for consumer goods, capital goods and automotive vehicles more than offset lower prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Over the past year, nonagricultural export prices advanced 1.9%.