Economic News Release

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                                   U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                                - JULY 2009 -

   The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.7 percent in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. 
Department of Labor reported today.  Decreases for both petroleum prices and nonpetroleum prices 
contributed to the July drop for overall import prices, which followed four consecutive monthly 
increases.  Export prices also declined in July, falling 0.3 percent after advancing 1.0 percent the 
previous month.

                               Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                                              by End Use category
                                           - not seasonally adjusted -
                                    

  
  
Import Goods
   
   A downturn in petroleum prices, which fell 2.8 percent in July, was the primary factor for the 
turnaround in overall import prices.  Prices for import petroleum rose 66.6 percent over the previous five 
months, which led overall imports up 6.0 percent over that period.  Despite the jump between February 
and June, petroleum prices fell 49.9 percent over the past year.  Overall import prices posted the largest 
annual decline since the index was first published in 1982, falling 19.3 percent for the year ended in 
July.  In addition, nonpetroleum import prices declined 0.2 percent in July, resuming a downward trend 
over the past year after advancing the past two months.  Nonpetroleum prices fell 7.3 percent over the 
past 12 months, the largest annual decrease since the index was first published in 1985.        
    
   The July decline in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 0.9 percent decrease in the price index for 
nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials which was driven by lower prices for chemicals and 
natural gas.  Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices declined 26.0 percent over the past 
12 months.  Consumer goods prices also decreased, falling 0.4 percent in July and 1.2 percent over the 
past year.  Lower prices for apparel, television and video receivers, and jewelry all contributed to the 
July decline.
   
   In contrast, the price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles increased in July, rising 
0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.  Capital goods prices fell 1.5 percent for the year ended in July, 
whereas automotive vehicle prices were unchanged over the past year.


Export Goods 

   Export prices fell 0.3 percent in July after increasing for three consecutive months.  The July 
decline was driven by a 4.9 percent decrease in agricultural prices, which also fell for the first time in 
four months.  Sharp drops in corn and wheat prices were the largest contributors to the decline.  The 
price index for agricultural exports decreased 22.3 percent over the past 12 months, the largest annual 
decline since the index was first published in 1985.  Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.2 percent in July, 
but decreased 6.5 percent for the July 2008-2009 period.  Overall export prices fell 8.1 percent over the 
past year, the largest annual decrease since the index was first published in 1983.
   
   Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices increased for the fourth consecutive 
month, ticking up 0.1 percent in July.  Higher prices for plastics were mostly offset by lower fuel prices.  
Despite the recent increases, the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
decreased 21.0 percent over the past 12 months.
   
   Capital goods prices and consumer goods prices also rose in July, advancing 0.3 percent and 0.4 
percent, respectively.  Over the past 12 months, prices for capital goods rose 1.6 percent, while prices for 
consumer goods rose 0.2 percent.
   
   In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles decreased in July, falling 0.2 percent after decreasing 
0.1 percent the previous month.  The price index for automotive vehicles edged up 0.1 percent for the 
July 2008-2009 period.
   
  
Imports by Locality of Origin 
	
   The price indexes for imports from Mexico and from Canada each decreased in July, led by 
lower petroleum prices.  Import prices from Mexico fell 1.1 percent in July and 16.8 percent over the 
past year.  Similarly, prices for imports from Canada declined 1.0 percent for the month and 26.5 percent 
for the year ended in July.
   
   Import prices from China fell 0.2 percent in July after ticking up 0.1 percent in June.  Overall 
import prices from China decreased 3.3 percent for the July 2008-2009 period, the largest 12-month drop 
since the index was first published in December 2003.
   
   In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union and from Japan advanced 0.2 percent 
and 0.1 percent, respectively, in July.  The price index for imports from the European Union fell 7.2 
percent for the year ended in July, led in part by lower petroleum prices, while import prices from Japan 
rose 1.6 percent.


Import and Export Services

   Import air passenger fares decreased 3.1 percent in July after increasing 13.0 percent the previous 
month.  The decline was led by a 6.0 percent decrease in European fares.  Over the past year, import air 
passenger fares fell 20.1 percent, the largest 12-month drop since the index was first published in 1988.  
Export air passenger fares rose in July, advancing 0.7 percent because of higher European and Latin 
America/Caribbean fares.  Despite the July increase, export air passenger fares fell 24.3 percent, the 
largest 12-month drop since the index was first published in 1986.
	
   The price index for import air freight advanced 0.3 percent in July after a 2.0 percent increase the 
previous month.  The index fell 16.9 percent for the year ended in July.  Export air freight prices rose 1.4 
percent in July after decreasing for 10 consecutive months.  Overall, export air freight prices declined 
16.8 percent over the past year.


CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
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Import and Export Price Index data for August 2009 are scheduled for release on September 11, 2009 at 
8:30 A.M. (EDT).