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Canadian international merchandise trade
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Canada's trade surplus with the world expanded to $5.5 billion in May, from $4.8 billion in April, as exports to countries other than the United States reached their highest level ever and exports to the United States remained strong.
Canadian exports rose for the fifth consecutive month, increasing 5.4% to $42.1 billion, as both volumes and prices increased. However, since November 2007, export prices have been on the rise, while volumes have been on a downward trend.
Imports increased 3.9% to $36.6 billion, their largest increase since July 2007. Volumes were up, while prices declined. Nevertheless, import prices have been on an upward trend for the past seven months, while movements in volume have been more volatile.
Exports to the United States increased for the fifth month in a row, reaching $31.3 billion, their highest level since December 2006. Imports grew by almost the same dollar value as exports, leaving the trade surplus with Canada's largest trading partner virtually unchanged at $8.1 billion.
Note to readersMerchandise trade is one component of the current account of Canada's balance of payments, which also includes trade in services, investment income, transfers, capital and financial flows. International merchandise trade data by country are available on both a balance of payments and a customs basis for the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. Trade data for all other individual countries are available on a customs basis only. Balance of payments data are derived from customs data by making adjustments for characteristics such as valuation, coverage, timing and residency. These adjustments are made to conform to the concepts and definitions of the Canadian System of National Accounts. Constant dollars referred to in the text are calculated using the Paasche Price indices. Revisions In general, merchandise trade data are revised on an ongoing basis for each month of the current year. Current year revisions are reflected in both the customs and balance of payments based data. Revisions to customs based data for the previous year are released on a quarterly basis. Revisions to balance of payments based data for the three previous years are released annually in June. Factors influencing revisions include late receipt of import and export documentation, incorrect information on customs forms, replacement of estimates with actual figures, changes in classification of merchandise based on more current information, and changes to seasonal adjustment factors. Revised data are available in the appropriate CANSIM tables. |
Exports to countries other than the United States surpassed the $10-billion mark. Since the growth in exports was twice as large as the rise in imports, the trade deficit narrowed to $2.5 billion from $3.3 billion. This growth was partially attributed to increased coal exports to Japan and South Korea, where it is used to produce steel.
Exports: Energy products rise on strength of coal
Energy products exports rose for the seventh consecutive month, increasing 8.1% to $11.6 billion in May. The rise was widespread, reflecting higher prices and increased shipments of coal to Asia. Crude petroleum also contributed to the rise, increasing for the second month in a row.
Exports of industrial goods and materials increased 9.0% in May to $9.6 billion. The largest contributor to the gain was metal ores. This reflected increased exports of iron ores, which almost doubled in value due to rising volumes and prices, as well as a gain in the volume of copper ores, particularly to Asia. Greater exports of sulphur and potash to China and other Asian countries also increased exports of this sector.
Agricultural and fishing products increased 2.6% to $3.5 billion in May, the fifth monthly gain in a row. This was largely due to higher exports of wheat, which have been on an upward trend since October 2007, as a result of rising prices and robust demand from overseas and the United States.
Exports of automotive products declined for the third month in a row, decreasing 3.5% in May. This sector has been declining since January 2007. Recently, higher gas prices and the economic slowdown in the United States have weakened demand for automotive products from our southern neighbour.
Imports of industrial goods and materials push up imports
Imports of industrial goods and materials increased 8.7% to $7.8 billion, on the strength of metals and metal ores, particularly precious metals and copper and alloys. Metals and metal ores imports have been trending upward since September 2007. Larger imports of uranium contributed to the increase in chemicals and plastics.
Machinery and equipment imports increased 4.6% to $10.0 billion. This increase was partially attributed to a rise in communication and related equipment. Imports of aircraft, engines and parts also contributed to the rise as part of the on-going commercial and military fleet rejuvenation.
The largest offsetting decrease was observed in energy products, which declined 3.1%. A decline in petroleum and coal products, in particular gasoline, was the main contributor, more than offsetting increased imports of crude petroleum.
Available on CANSIM: tables 228-0001 to 228-0003, 228-0033, 228-0034, 228-0041 to 228-0043 and 228-0047 to 228-0055.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 2201, 2202 and 2203.
The May 2008 issue of Canadian International Merchandise Trade, Vol. 62, no. 5 (65-001-XIB, free), is now available from the Publications module of our website. The publication includes tables by commodity and country on a customs basis. Current account data (which incorporate merchandise trade statistics, service transactions, investment income and transfers) are available quarterly in Canada's Balance of International Payments (67-001-XWE, free).
For more information on products and services, contact Nadine Lacroix (toll-free 1-800-294-5583; 613-951-5047). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Anne Couillard (613-951-6867), International Trade Division.
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