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Import/Export Price Indexes

Recent Price Trends in the Meat Industry

An overview of Animal Slaughtering and Processing price indexes

2026

Cuts of meat

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes contain data on changes in the prices of nonmilitary goods and services traded between the United States and the world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics produces these indexes, which are Principal Federal Economic Indicators.

Q: How have import animal slaughtering and processing prices trended over the 2023–2025 period? (See chart 1)

  • Animal slaughtering and processing import prices advanced 25.2 percent from December 2022 to December 2025. The import price index for animal slaughtering and processing increased 4.5 percent from December 2022 to December 2023. The index then increased 7.7 percent in 2024, before increasing 11.3 percent in 2025.
  • The import price index for animal slaughtering and processing reached a low point in January 2023 for the 3-year period ended December 2025, dipping 1.7 percent from December 2022 to January 2023. The index then increased 27.4 percent from January 2023 to December 2025.

Q: How did import animal slaughtering and processing prices compare with other economic data? (See chart 1)

  • Import, export, and producer prices increased from December 2022 to December 2025. For the year ended December 2025, producer prices and export prices for animal slaughtering and processing rose, but import prices for animal slaughtering and processing advanced at a faster rate.
  • The producer price index for animal slaughtering and processing increased 14.3 percent from December 2022 to December 2025. The index advanced 21.7 percent from December 2022 to September 2025. Producer prices for animal slaughtering and processing then declined, falling 6.1 percent from September 2025 to December 2025.

Q: How have export animal slaughtering and processing prices trended over the 2023–2025 period? (See chart 1)

  • Export animal slaughtering and processing prices rose 12.9 percent from December 2022 to December 2025. Export prices increased 1.6 percent in 2023 and advanced 8.5 percent in 2024. Export prices then rose 2.4 percent in 2025.
  • The export price index fell to a low point in February 2023 for the 3-year period ended December 2025. The index then advanced 15.8 percent from February 2023 to December 2025.

Q: What are the top six exporting states and territories for animal slaughtering and processing? (See chart 2)

  • In 2025, the total trade value of exported animal slaughtering and processing was $26.4 billion, down 5.7 percent from 2024. The top 6 exporting states contributed 51.7 percent of the total trade value.
  • Texas ranked first for exported animal slaughtering and processing with $3.5 billion in export trade in 2025, which accounted for 13.1 percent of total U.S. animal slaughtering and processing exports.
  • Nebraska ranked second in trade value with $2.3 billion dollars, accounting for 8.9 percent of US trade value.

Q: How are import and export price indexes useful to you?

Import and export price indexes can provide a new perspective for your trade analyses. Although many sources report domestic market prices and trade volume, IPP data are unique in measuring import and export price movement.

For example, if you are involved in the meat industry and are considering conducting business overseas, IPP animal slaughtering and processing indexes can supplement your industry research by providing long-term import and export price trends.

Q: How are import and export price indexes used?

Import and export price indexes are used for a variety of purposes:

  • In the conversion of U.S. trade figures from current dollars to constant dollars in U.S. trade statistics including the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Quarterly Gross Domestic Product and the Census Bureau’s monthly U.S. trade statistics.
  • To assess the impact of international trade on domestic inflation and the competitive position of the United States.
  • As a tool for analyzing fiscal and monetary policy, measuring the impact of exchange rates, and escalating trade contracts.
  • To identify industry-specific and global price trends.

Last Modified Date: August 28, 2026