US import prices for fuel and lubricants jumped 16.3% in April, marking the largest monthly increase since prices rose 17.8% in March 2022, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.
Fuel and lubricant import prices accelerated after rising 10% in March, as higher petroleum costs outweighed falling natural gas prices.
Import prices for petroleum and petroleum products climbed 19% over the month, driving most of the increase in overall fuel import costs.
Import natural gas prices moved in the opposite direction during April, falling 22.1% from the previous month, according to the data.
Prices for imported fuels and lubricants increased 20% over the year.
Over the past 12 months, the price index for imported petroleum and petroleum products rose 22%, the data showed.
Natural gas import prices edged up 0.1% over the year despite the sharp monthly decline recorded in April, the agency added.