Québec, October 21, 2026. – Québec’s international merchandise exports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 0.9% in August 2026 from the previous month (+7.7% in July). This finding comes from 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 decrease are aircraft
(-49.0%), commercial and service industry machinery and equipment (-23.0%), iron ores and concentrates (-10.1%), and aviation fuel (-38.7%).
The products whose exports increased in August include heavy fuel oils (+134.4%), diesel and biodiesel fuels (+104.8%), other transportation equipment (+115.1%), and unwrought copper and copper alloys (+39.9%).
Exports in the first eight months of 2026 were down 2.7% from the same period in 2025.
Exports to the United States down
Québec’s exports to the United States in the first eight months of 2026, non-seasonally adjusted and in current dollars, were down 3.5% compared with the same months of 2025. On the same basis and over the same period, exports to other countries (except the United States) increased by 15.5%. As a result, total exports (non-seasonally adjusted and in current dollars)—including to the United States—rose by 2.0%.
Consult the tables on international merchandise trade with the United States for information about the product structure of Québec’s exports and imports with that country.
Important notice about the October 21, 2026 release
Due to the implementation of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system on October 21, 2024, delays are observed in the receipt of import data for the most recent reference months. These delays are impacting the quality and completeness of merchandise import statistics for this period. Although import data are published, they remain incomplete and are likely to be revised in the coming months.
For more information, see Statistics Canada’s Notes on the monthly release of Canadian international merchandise trade.
Québec’s international merchandise imports down 5.7% in August 2026
Québec’s international merchandise imports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 5.7% in August 2026 from the previous month (+8.8% in July).
The products that contributed the most to this decrease in imports are light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles, without electric motor (-18.1%), light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles with electric motor and hybrid engine
(-36.6%), bauxite and aluminum oxide (-30.5%), as well as basic and semi-finished products of non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal alloys, except gold, silver, platinum group metals and aluminum (-33.3%)
In contrast, imports of certain products were up in August. This was the case for conventional crude oil (+72.9%), batteries and battery chargers (+721.7%), printed and integrated circuits, semiconductors, and printed circuit assemblies (+51.4%), and sugar and sugar mill by-products (+316.6%).
Imports in the first eight months of 2026 were up 1.3% compared with the same months of 2025.
The situation in Canada
According to data published by Statistics Canada on October 6, 2026, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars increased by 4.8% in August 2026 from the previous month. Meanwhile, imports were down 1.1%.
For the first eight months of 2026, Canada’s merchandise exports and imports were up 1.2% and 2.0%, respectively, compared with the same period in 2025.
| 2025 | 2026 | Cumulative change2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual change | July | August | ||||
| Monthly change | ||||||
| Québec | ||||||
| Exportations | -4.1 | 7.7 | -0.9 | -2.7 | ||
| Importations | 5.0 | 8.8 | -5.7 | 1.3 | ||
| Canada | ||||||
| Exportations | -1.2 | -0.9 | 4.8 | 1.2 | ||
| Importations | 0.1 | 1.4 | -1.1 | 2.0 | ||
|
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For more information about the principal economic indicators for Québec, see our economic highlights (in French only).
Useful links
- International trade (monthly data)
- International Trade Data Online: A tool for generating customized reports
Next release: November 18, 2026
The Institut de la statistique du Québec is the public body responsible for providing reliable, objective statistical information about Québec society. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.