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Québec’s international merchandise exports up in May 2023


Québec, July 20, 2023. – Québec’s international merchandise exports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were up 0.9% in May 2023 from the previous month. This finding comes from an analysis of the most recent data on Québec’s international merchandise trade released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

The products that contributed the most to this monthly increase were iron ores and concentrates (+40.8%), basic and semi-finished products of gold, silver, and platinum group metals and their alloys (+564.0%), aircraft (+12.7%), and heavy fuel oils (+39.6%).

The products whose exports decreased in May include waste and scrap of iron and steel (-60.0%), lubricants and other petroleum refinery products (-96.4%), diesel and biodiesel fuels (-16.9%), and other transportation equipment (-28.3%).

Exports in the first five months of 2023 were up 4.0% from the same period in 2022.

Québec’s international merchandise imports up in May 2023

Québec’s international merchandise imports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were up 6.5% in May from April 2023.

The products that contributed the most to this increase in imports were unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+219.1%), conventional crude oil (+68.1%), basic and semi-finished products of non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal alloys (except gold, silver, platinum group metals and aluminum) (+289.0%), and light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (+7.6%).

However, imports of certain products declined in May. This was the case for aircraft (-94.6%), diesel and biodiesel fuels (-64.7%), locomotives, railway rolling stock, and rapid transit equipment (-68.0%), and grain and oilseed products not elsewhere classified (-72.9%).

Imports in the first five months of 2023 were down 1.0% from the same months of 2022.

The situation in Canada

According to data published by Statistics Canada on July 6, 2023, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars decreased by 1.3% in May 2023 from the previous month. Meanwhile, imports were up 3.3%.

For the first five months of 2023, Canada’s merchandise exports rose by 8.8% compared with the same months of 2022, while imports decreased by 0.1%.

 

International merchandise exports and imports1 (Percentage changes)

  2022   2023
 
 
  Annual change   Monthly change2 Cumulative change2,3
     
 
      April May  

Québec
Exports 4.0   – 2.4 0.9 4.0
Imports 5.0   – 2.1 6.5 – 1.0
 
Canada
Exports 1.5    4.3 – 1.3 8.8
Imports 6.4   0.9 3.3 – 0.1

1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices.
2. Seasonally adjusted data.
3. First five months of 2023 compared with the same months of 2022.

Sources
Institut de la statistique du Québec and Statitcs Canada.

Useful links

International trade – Monthly data

International Trade Data Online: A tool for generating customized reports

Next release: August 22, 2023


The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.

Media relations
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Phone: 418-691-2401
or 1-800-463-4090 (toll-free in Canada and the United States)
E-mail: cid@stat.gouv.qc.ca

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