According to Statistics Canada, in September, Canada's merchandise exports increased 2.7 percent, while imports rose 1.0 percent. As a result, Canada's merchandise trade surplus widened from $949 million in August to $2.0 billion in September.
Total exports rose 2.7 percent in September, a third consecutive monthly increase. From June to September, the value of exports rose 11.4 percent. Increases were observed in 7 of the 11 product sections in September, with energy products accounting for most of the gain in total exports. The contribution of prices to the monthly export movement was noteworthy in September; exports were up slightly by 0.4 percent in real (or volume) terms.
Total imports increased 1.0 percent in September. Combined, the increases in Canadian exports observed in August and September have almost offset the decline in July, which was partly driven by port disruptions in British Columbia. Despite the overall increase in September, more product sections declined than increased in the month. In real (or volume) terms, imports were up 1.7 percent.
In September, exports to the United States were up 2.6 percent, largely because of higher exports of energy products. Meanwhile, imports from that country rose 1.7 percent. As a result, Canada's trade surplus with the United States widened for a third consecutive month, from $11.0 billion in August to $11.7 billion in September.
Exports to countries other than the United States increased 2.9 percent in September, while imports from these countries edged down 0.2 percent. As a result, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with countries other than the United States narrowed from $10.1 billion in August to $9.6 billion in September.