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Import/Export Price Indexes
Bureau of Labor Statistics > Import/Export Price Indexes > Home

Recent Price Trends in the Metal Industry

An overview of Primary Metal Manufacturing price indexes

2026

Metal cogs

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 metal prices trended over the 2023–2025 period? (See chart 1)

  • Primary metal manufacturing import prices increased 29.2 percent from December 2022 to December 2025. The index decreased 6.6 percent in 2023 before increasing 12.0 percent in 2024. The import price index for primary metal manufacturing increased 23.6 percent in 2025.
  • The 23.6-percent rise in import prices for primary metal manufacturing in 2025 was the largest calendar-year increase since the index advanced 24.0 percent in 2021.
  • Prices for import primary metals decreased 8.9 percent from December 2022 to a low point in October 2023. The index rose 41.8 percent from October 2023 to December 2025.

Q: How did import metal prices compare with other economic data? (See chart 1)

  • Import primary metal manufacturing prices trended similarly to export prices from 2023 to 2024. In 2025, export prices for primary metal manufacturing grew at a faster pace than import prices. Producer prices for primary metals trended lower than import and export prices in 2025. Import, export, and producer price indexes each rose throughout the 3-year period ended December 2025.
  • The producer price index for primary metal manufacturing increased 9.4 percent over the 3-year period ended December 2025. The index declined 4.0 percent in 2023, decreased 3.3 percent in 2024, and rose 17.8 percent in 2025.

Q: How have export metal prices trended over the 2023–2025 period? (See chart 1)

  • Export primary metals prices increased 53.4 percent from December 2022 to December 2025. Prices for export primary metals decreased 5.0 percent in 2023, increased 16.2 percent in 2024, and rose 38.9 percent in 2025.
  • The 38.9-percent rise in export prices for primary metal manufacturing in 2025 was the largest calendar-year increase since annual percent changes were first published in December 2006.
  • For the 3-year period ended December 2025, prices for export primary metals reached a low point in October 2023. The index for export primary metals prices rose 68.0 percent from October 2023 to December 2025.
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Q: What are the top six exporting states and territories for metal manufacturing? (See chart 2)

  • In 2025, the total trade value of exported primary metals was $155.0 billion, a 103.4 percent increase from 2024. The top 6 exporting states accounted for 76.5 percent of this value in 2025.
  • New York ranked first among U.S. states and territories with $85.7 billion in export trade value. That accounted for 55.3 percent of total U.S. primary metal manufacturing exports.
  • Utah and Massachusetts ranked second and third with $11.0 billion and $6.5 billion in trade dollar value, respectively. The two states accounted for 7.1 percent and 4.2 percent of total U.S. primary metal manufacturing exports, respectively.
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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 metal industry and are considering conducting business overseas, IPP primary metal manufacturing 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