Inflation Roars as Producer Price Index Jumps 1% in January for 9.7% Annualized Rate

Washington, DC…The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 1.0 percent in January, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This rise followed advances of 0.4 percent in December 2021 and 0.9 percent in November. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 9.7 percent for the 12 months ended January 2022.

In January, the index for final demand services rose 0.7 percent, and prices for final demand
goods moved up 1.3 percent.

Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 0.9 percent in January
2022, the largest increase since rising 1.0 percent in January 2021. For the 12 months ended
January 2022, the index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services moved up 6.9
percent.

Final Demand

Final demand services: Prices for final demand services advanced 0.7 percent in January, the same
as in December. Three-fourths of the rise in January can be traced to a 0.9-percent increase in the
index for final demand services less trade, transportation, and warehousing. Likewise, margins for
final demand trade services moved up 0.6 percent. (Trade indexes measure changes in margins
received by wholesalers and retailers.) Prices for final demand transportation and warehousing
services were unchanged.

Product detail: A major factor in the January increase in the index for final demand services was
hospital outpatient care prices, which rose 1.6 percent. The indexes for machinery and vehicle
wholesaling; apparel, jewelry, footwear, and accessories retailing; traveler accommodation services;
portfolio management; and truck transportation of freight also moved higher. Conversely, margins
for fuels and lubricants retailing fell 9.7 percent. The indexes for transportation of passengers
(partial) and for physician care also decreased. (See table 2.)

Final demand goods: Prices for final demand goods advanced 1.3 percent in January after declining
0.1 percent in December. Over 40 percent of the broad-based increase can be traced to a 0.8-percent
rise in the index for final demand goods less foods and energy. Prices for final demand energy and
for final demand foods also moved higher, 2.5 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.

Product detail: Within the final demand goods category in January, the index for motor vehicles and
equipment rose 0.7 percent. Prices for diesel fuel, gasoline, beef and veal, dairy products, and jet fuel
also increased. In contrast, the index for iron and steel scrap decreased 10.7 percent. Prices for
unprocessed finfish and for natural gas also moved lower.

Table A. Monthly and 12-month percent changes in selected final demand price indexes, seasonally adjusted
Month Total
final
demand
Final
demand
less
foods,
energy,
and
trade
Final demand goods Final demand services Change
in final
demand
from 12
months
ago
(unadj.)
Change
in final
demand
less
foods,
energy,
and
trade
from 12
mo. ago
(unadj.)
Total Foods Energy Less
foods
and
energy
Total Trade Transportation
and
warehousing
Other

2021

Jan.

1.2 1.0 1.5 1.7 4.6 0.8 1.0 0.7 1.0 1.2 1.6 1.9

Feb.

0.7 0.4 1.4 1.2 5.6 0.5 0.3 0.3 1.2 0.2 3.0 2.3

Mar.

0.7 0.6 1.3 0.6 3.8 0.9 0.4 0.2 1.3 0.5 4.1 3.1

Apr.

1.0 0.8 0.8 1.4 -0.3 1.0 1.1 2.1 3.1 0.3 6.5 4.8

May

1.0 0.5 1.4 2.5 1.5 1.1 0.7 1.8 0.2 0.2 7.0 5.3

June

0.8 0.6 1.3 0.8 2.9 1.0 0.6 0.8 1.4 0.4 7.6 5.6

July

0.9 0.7 0.8 -0.9 2.2 0.8 1.0 1.7 2.5 0.5 8.0 6.0

Aug.

0.9 0.4 1.0 2.1 1.3 0.6 0.8 2.1 0.8 0.2 8.7 6.2

Sept.(1)

0.5 0.3 1.2 2.1 2.5 0.6 0.1 0.0 -1.0 0.3 8.8 6.1

Oct.(1)

0.7 0.4 1.3 -0.1 5.0 0.7 0.2 0.6 1.1 -0.1 8.9 6.2

Nov.(1)

0.9 0.8 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.1 2.6 0.6 9.8 7.0

Dec.(1)

0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.3 -1.7 0.4 0.7 1.5 1.6 0.2 9.8 7.0

2022

Jan.

1.0 0.9 1.3 1.6 2.5 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.9 9.7 6.9

Footnotes
(1) Some of the percent changes shown here and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect developments during 2021. In addition, indexes for September 2021 through December 2021 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are subject to monthly revisions up to 4 months after original publication.

Intermediate Demand by Commodity Type

Within intermediate demand in January, prices for processed goods increased 1.7 percent, the index 
for unprocessed goods fell 2.0 percent, and prices for services advanced 0.4 percent. (See tables B 
and C.)

Processed goods for intermediate demand: The index for processed goods for intermediate 
demand rose 1.7 percent in January after declining 0.1 percent in December. Over half of the broad-
based increase in January can be traced to prices for processed materials less foods and energy, 
which advanced 1.2 percent. The indexes for processed energy goods and for processed foods and 
feeds climbed 3.4 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. For the 12 months ended in January, prices 
for processed goods for intermediate demand jumped 24.1 percent.

Product detail: In January, a 25.4-percent increase in the index for softwood lumber was a major 
contributor to the rise in prices for processed goods for intermediate demand. The indexes for diesel 
fuel, nonferrous metals, electric power, metal containers, and dairy products also moved higher. In 
contrast, prices for hot rolled steel sheet and strip decreased 6.4 percent. The indexes for natural gas 
to electric utilities and for pork also fell.

Unprocessed goods for intermediate demand: The index for unprocessed goods for intermediate 
demand declined 2.0 percent in January after falling 4.8 percent in December. Most of the January 
decrease is attributable to prices for unprocessed energy materials, which dropped 4.7 percent. The 
index for unprocessed foodstuffs and feedstuffs moved down 0.7 percent. In contrast, prices for 
unprocessed nonfood materials less energy edged up 0.1 percent. For the 12 months ended in 
January, the index for unprocessed goods for intermediate demand increased 29.7 percent.

Product detail: Leading the January decline in the index for unprocessed goods for intermediate 
demand, natural gas prices dropped 26.1 percent. The indexes for iron and steel scrap, raw milk, 
slaughter hogs, unprocessed finfish, and slaughter cattle also moved lower. Conversely, prices for 
nonferrous metal ores rose 6.5 percent. The indexes for crude petroleum and for hay, hayseeds, and 
oilseeds also increased. 

Table B. Monthly and 12-month percent changes in selected intermediate demand price indexes for goods by commodity type, seasonally adjusted
Month Processed goods for intermediate demand Unprocessed goods for intermediate demand
Total Foods
and
feeds
Energy
goods
Less
foods
and
energy
Total,
change
from 12
months
ago
(unadj.)
Total Foodstuffs
and
feedstuffs
Energy
materials
Nonfood
materials
less
energy
Total,
change
from 12
months
ago
(unadj.)

2021

Jan.

1.8 0.9 2.1 1.8 3.4 5.8 4.0 5.4 8.6 7.9

Feb.

2.7 2.2 6.1 1.9 7.1 11.8 2.2 33.7 -0.7 29.2

Mar.

3.4 1.4 7.3 2.7 12.4 -4.0 1.8 -13.4 1.9 34.8

Apr.

2.1 2.4 -1.8 3.0 18.7 0.8 5.6 -4.9 1.9 59.2

May

2.8 2.6 3.3 2.7 22.3 7.9 6.8 8.3 8.8 57.8

June

1.7 1.6 0.8 2.0 23.0 2.1 -0.5 5.6 1.0 52.9

July

1.6 -0.6 3.4 1.4 23.1 3.2 -1.0 9.7 0.6 56.0

Aug.

1.0 1.5 0.0 1.1 23.0 1.4 3.0 0.2 1.4 52.5

Sept.(1)

1.2 1.5 2.1 0.9 23.8 2.8 0.8 8.0 -1.8 48.5

Oct.(1)

2.4 -0.4 6.7 1.6 25.7 6.0 -2.2 17.7 -1.5 55.5

Nov.(1)

1.5 0.1 2.5 1.4 26.6 2.3 1.2 2.4 3.4 49.5

Dec.(1)

-0.1 0.0 -2.9 0.6 24.3 -4.8 3.7 -12.0 -1.8 40.0

2022

Jan.

1.7 2.4 3.4 1.2 24.1 -2.0 -0.7 -4.7 0.1 29.7

Footnotes
(1) Some of the percent changes shown here and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect developments during 2021. In addition, indexes for September 2021 through December 2021 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are subject to monthly revisions up to 4 months after original publication.

Services for intermediate demand: The index for services for intermediate demand moved up 0.4 
percent in January, the third consecutive increase. Most of the rise in January can be attributed to a 
0.6-percent advance in prices for services less trade, transportation, and warehousing for intermediate 
demand. The index for transportation and warehousing services for intermediate demand moved up 
0.3 percent, while margins for trade services for intermediate demand were unchanged. For the 12 
months ended in January, the index for services for intermediate demand advanced 7.3 percent.

Product detail: Over a fifth of the January rise in the index for services for intermediate demand can 
be traced to a 2.7-percent advance in prices for architectural and engineering services. The indexes 
for hardware, building materials, and supplies retailing; gross rents for retail properties; portfolio 
management; legal services; and warehousing, storage, and related services also increased. In 
contrast, margins for chemicals and allied products wholesaling fell 4.1 percent. The indexes for 
arrangement of freight and cargo transportation and for radio advertising time sales also declined.

Table C. Monthly and 12-month percent changes in selected intermediate demand price indexes for services by commodity type, seasonally adjusted
Month Services for intermediate demand
Total Trade Transportation
and
warehousing
Other Total, change
from 12 months
ago (unadj.)

2021

Jan.

1.2 1.3 0.7 1.3 3.0

Feb.

0.3 0.1 1.3 0.2 3.6

Mar.

0.6 1.2 0.9 0.5 4.3

Apr.

1.3 2.5 2.2 0.6 7.3

May

0.6 2.2 0.8 0.1 8.4

June

1.2 2.5 2.0 0.6 9.3

July

0.6 1.1 0.7 0.4 9.5

Aug.

0.4 1.9 0.8 -0.2 9.0

Sept.(1)

0.3 -1.2 2.5 0.4 8.2

Oct.(1)

0.0 0.5 0.5 -0.3 7.4

Nov.(1)

0.6 -0.5 0.9 0.9 8.1

Dec.(1)

0.7 0.8 1.6 0.5 8.1

2022

Jan.

0.4 0.0 0.3 0.6 7.3

Footnotes
(1) Some of the percent changes shown here and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect developments during 2021. In addition, indexes for September 2021 through December 2021 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are subject to monthly revisions up to 4 months after original publication.

Intermediate Demand by Production Flow

Stage 4 intermediate demand: The index for stage 4 intermediate demand rose 1.1 percent in 
January after moving up 0.5 percent in December. In January, prices for total goods inputs to stage 4 
intermediate demand advanced 1.7 percent, and the index for total services inputs climbed 0.6 
percent. (See table D.) Increases in prices for metal containers, architectural and engineering 
services, softwood lumber, portfolio management, gross rents for retail properties, and diesel fuel 
outweighed decreases in the indexes for chemicals and allied products wholesaling, hot rolled steel 
sheet and strip, and unprocessed finfish. For the 12 months ended in January, prices for stage 4 
intermediate demand rose 12.2 percent.

Stage 3 intermediate demand: The index for stage 3 intermediate demand moved up 0.8 percent in 
January after rising 0.7 percent in December. In January, prices for total goods inputs to stage 3 
intermediate demand increased 1.0 percent, and the index for total services inputs advanced 0.4 
percent. Rising prices for diesel fuel, jet fuel, nonferrous metals, softwood lumber, architectural and 
engineering services, and slaughter poultry outweighed declines in the indexes for hot rolled steel 
sheet and strip, raw milk, and arrangement of freight and cargo transportation. For the 12 months 
ended in January, prices for stage 3 intermediate demand jumped 19.0 percent.

Stage 2 intermediate demand: The index for stage 2 intermediate demand declined 0.5 percent in 
January after decreasing 2.2 percent in December. In January, prices for total goods inputs to stage 2 
intermediate demand fell 1.3 percent. Conversely, the index for total services inputs advanced 0.1 
percent. Decreases in the indexes for natural gas, iron and steel scrap, ethanol, fuels and lubricants 
retailing, arrangement of freight and cargo transportation, and radio advertising time sales 
outweighed increases in prices for legal services, crude petroleum, and nonferrous metals. For the 12 
months ended in January, prices for stage 2 intermediate demand rose 17.9 percent. 

Stage 1 intermediate demand: Prices for stage 1 intermediate demand moved up 1.0 percent in 
January following a 0.3-percent advance in December. In January, the index for total goods inputs to 
stage 1 intermediate demand rose 1.3 percent, and prices for total services inputs increased 0.5 
percent. Advances in the indexes for diesel fuel; hardware, building materials, and supplies retailing; 
traveler accommodation services; architectural and engineering services; general purpose machinery 
and equipment; and paints and allied products outweighed decreases in the indexes for iron and steel 
scrap, hot rolled steel sheet and strip, and chemicals and allied products wholesaling. For the 12 
months ended in January, prices for stage 1 intermediate demand jumped 16.7 percent.

Table D. Monthly percent changes in selected intermediate demand price indexes by production flow, seasonally adjusted
Month Stage 4 intermediate
demand
Stage 3 intermediate
demand
Stage 2 intermediate
demand
Stage 1 intermediate
demand
Total Goods
inputs
Services
inputs
Total Goods
inputs
Services
inputs
Total Goods
inputs
Services
inputs
Total Goods
inputs
Services
inputs

2021

Jan.

1.3 1.5 1.3 2.0 2.2 1.6 2.5 4.8 0.9 1.8 2.4 1.3

Feb.

0.8 1.5 0.2 2.1 4.0 0.5 5.5 12.4 0.2 1.5 2.8 0.2

Mar.

1.4 1.9 0.7 2.4 4.4 0.6 -1.5 -3.9 0.6 2.2 3.7 0.9

Apr.

1.4 1.7 1.2 2.7 4.3 1.3 0.4 -0.5 1.2 1.7 1.9 1.6

May

1.2 2.2 0.5 2.4 3.8 0.9 3.0 6.3 0.3 2.6 3.9 1.3

June

1.3 1.5 1.1 1.6 1.8 1.3 2.1 3.1 1.2 1.5 1.6 1.5

July

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.6 0.4 2.3 4.3 0.6 1.4 2.1 0.8

Aug.

0.7 0.9 0.6 1.0 1.6 0.4 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.8 1.3 0.5

Sept.(1)

0.4 0.8 0.1 1.1 1.2 1.0 2.2 3.6 0.9 0.2 0.7 -0.3

Oct.(1)

0.6 1.3 0.0 1.0 1.9 0.2 3.7 7.8 -0.1 1.1 2.5 -0.3

Nov.(1)

1.1 1.5 0.8 0.8 1.2 0.4 1.2 1.7 0.7 1.2 2.0 0.4

Dec.(1)

0.5 0.6 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.9 -2.2 -5.5 1.1 0.3 -0.1 0.7

2022

Jan.

1.1 1.7 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.4 -0.5 -1.3 0.1 1.0 1.3 0.5

Footnotes
(1) Some of the percent changes shown here and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect developments during 2021. In addition, indexes for September 2021 through December 2021 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are subject to monthly revisions up to 4 months after original publication.

________________
The Producer Price Index for February 2022 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 
8:30 a.m. (ET).

                                                   *****
                                 Recalculation of Seasonal Adjustment Factors

Effective with this release, seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect price-movement 
patterns during 2021 for the Final Demand-Intermediate Demand (FD-ID) system and commodity-
grouping indexes. This routine annual recalculation may affect previously published seasonally adjusted 
indexes and percent changes for January 2017 through December 2021. 

Revised seasonally adjusted data for this period, as well as seasonal adjustment factors for directly 
adjusted commodity indexes to be used through December 2022, were released February 11, 2022. To 
obtain this information, contact the Producer Price Index Section of Index Analysis and Public 
Information at ppi-info@bls.gov or (202) 691-7705, or visit the Producer Price Index homepage at 
www.bls.gov/ppi.

Tables E and F below provide monthly seasonally adjusted percent changes for major FD-ID system 
indexes in 2021, based on former and recalculated seasonal factors. These percent changes include final 
price data through August 2021 and may differ from values shown in tables A through D of this release, 
which include final price data through September 2021 and revised interim data for October through 
December.

Table E.  Over-the-month percent changes in major final demand indexes, seasonally adjusted, using former
and recalculated seasonal factors for 2021

               Final           Final demand       Final demand    Final demand less foods,
               demand             goods             services     energy, and trade services
Month      Former  Recalc.    Former  Recalc.    Former  Recalc.      Former    Recalc.
January      1.2     1.2        1.6     1.5        1.0     1.0          1.0       1.0
February      .7      .7        1.6     1.4         .3      .3           .4        .4
March         .8      .7        1.5     1.3         .3      .4           .6        .6
April        1.0     1.0         .7      .8        1.2     1.1           .8        .8
May           .9     1.0        1.5     1.4         .6      .7           .5        .5
June          .9      .8        1.2     1.3         .6      .6           .6        .6
July          .9      .9         .7      .8        1.0     1.0           .8        .7
August        .9      .9         .9     1.0         .9      .8           .4        .4
September     .4      .5        1.1     1.2         .1      .2           .3        .3
October       .6      .7        1.3     1.3         .2      .2           .3        .4
November     1.0      .9        1.1      .9         .9      .8           .8        .8
December      .2      .3        -.4     -.1         .5      .6           .4        .3


Table F.  Over-the-month percent changes in major intermediate demand indexes, 
seasonally adjusted, using former and recalculated seasonal factors for 2021

            Processed goods for       Unprocessed goods for          Services for
            intermediate demand        intermediate demand        intermediate demand
Month      Former   Recalculated      Former   Recalculated      Former   Recalculated
January      1.8        1.8             5.3        5.8             1.1        1.2          
February     2.9        2.7            11.9       11.8              .3         .3          
March        3.5        3.4            -4.2       -4.0              .6         .6          
April        1.9        2.1             2.0         .8             1.3        1.3          
May          2.9        2.8             7.2        7.9              .6         .6          
June         1.8        1.7             1.8        2.1             1.2        1.2          
July         1.6        1.6             2.9        3.2              .6         .6          
August        .9        1.0             1.9        1.4              .4         .4          
September    1.1        1.2             2.7        2.8              .4         .4          
October      2.4        2.4             5.8        6.1              .0         .0          
November     1.6        1.4             2.1        2.0              .3         .3          
December     -.3         .0            -5.6       -6.0              .8         .7