Trade of culture and sport products, 2021

Released: 2023-10-10

The year 2021 saw both Canadian exports and imports of culture goods and services increase, following a turbulent year with unprecedented trade disruptions in 2020.

Total exports of culture and sport products grew 7.9% to reach $19.1 billion in 2021, representing 2.5% of Canada's total exports in the year. This growth was a reversal from the 13.5% decline in 2020.

Imports followed a similar trajectory, up 6.6% to $24.1 billion in 2021, after dropping 10.2% in 2020 when COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions were in full effect. Imports of culture and sport products represented 3.1% of total economy imports in 2021.

Despite increases in the trade of several culture and sport products in 2021, overall, trade remained below pre-pandemic levels, with exports down 6.7% and imports down 4.3%, compared with 2019.

The trade deficit (the difference between imports and exports) widened in 2021, with Canadian imports exceeding exports of culture goods and services. The United States continued to be Canada's largest trade partner for culture and sport products.

International trade of culture products up in 2021 following unprecedented declines the year prior

Canada exported $18.3 billion of culture products in 2021, up 7.8% from the previous year, led by increased exports in the domains of visual and applied art, audio-visual and interactive media, and written and published works. At the subdomain level, crafts, broadcasting, and film and video accounted for almost three-quarters of the total culture exports in 2021. Total trade (exports and imports) of books increased in 2021 after contracting in 2020, as the industry evolved and adapted to overcome challenges presented during the pandemic—for instance, the increased use of point-of-sale software to help customers search for their favourite books online for purchase and delivery.

Meanwhile, imports increased 7.0%, reaching $23.0 billion in 2021, led by visual and applied arts, and audio-visual products. At the subdomain level, craft and broadcasting drove imports of culture products in 2021.

Overall, culture products accounted for 2.4% of all goods and services exports and 3.0% of total imports in 2021. Despite increases observed in several culture commodities, many have yet to regain their pre-pandemic status. Such was the case for trade of culture heritage and natural heritage, as well as performing arts and festivals and celebrations, which were heavily impacted by successive waves of restriction during the pandemic.

Chart 1 
International trade of culture products, by domain, 2021

Exports of sport products rebound

Following unprecedented declines in 2020, Canadian exports of sport products increased in 2021, up 9.3%, to reach $0.9 billion. Growth was seen in all four sports subdomains, led by education and training (+$28 million), which was likely driven by the return of international students to study in Canada as pandemic restrictions eased and borders reopened in 2021.

Organized sport as well as governance, funding and professional support continued to be the most heavily traded sport products. Trade of organized sport includes tourists attending live sporting events, while governance, funding and professional support includes membership services or event support services.

Chart 2 
International trade of sport products, by domain, 2021

Global trade of culture and sport products

The pandemic severely and abruptly impacted the trade of culture and sport goods and services by disrupting cultural activities and events. It also accelerated the shift to digital trade and online consumption, making culture more accessible globally.

The United States continued to be Canada's largest trading partner for culture and sport products. Exports to the United States represented the lion's share (70.7%) of Canada's total exports of culture and sport products in 2021.

Meanwhile, the share of Canada's imports of culture and sport products from the United States was 64.0% in 2021.

Canada's second and third largest trading partners for culture and sport products continued to be the European Union (11.1% of imports; 10.2% of exports), and then China (4.7% of imports; 3.0% of exports).

Interprovincial trade of culture and sport in 2019

Trade among the provinces continued to be pivotal to the Canadian economy. In 2019, interprovincial and inter-territorial trade in culture products amounted to $15.7 billion. Interprovincial trade (exports and imports) of culture and sport estimates are available only up to 2019. The audio-visual and interactive media domain continued to be the largest contributor to interprovincial trade, particularly in broadcasting and the film and video subdomains.

Interprovincial trade of sport products totalled $1.3 billion in 2019. Governance, funding and professional support, and organized sport led interprovincial trade of sport products.

Products

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The Latest Developments in the Canadian Economic Accounts (Catalogue number13-605-X) is available.

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The Methodological Guide: Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts (Catalogue number13-607-X) is available.

Contact information

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