Québec, February 24, 2023. – Québec’s international merchandise exports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were up 2.9% in December 2022 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 unwrought aluminum and aluminum alloys (+30.8%), diesel and biodiesel fuels (+62.2%), pharmaceutical and medicinal products (+43.7%), and chemical products not elsewhere classified (+130.8%).
The products whose exports decreased in December include oilseeds (except canola) (-47.5%), waste and scrap of iron and steel (-54.1%), heavy fuel oils
(-30.5%), and aircraft engines (-12.3%).
Exports for the year 2022 were 4.5% higher than in 2021.
Québec’s international merchandise imports down in December 2022
Québec’s international merchandise imports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 8.8% in December from November 2022.
The products that contributed the most to this decrease in imports were light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (-17.0%), conventional crude oil (-37.1%), copper ores and concentrates (-67.5%), and passenger cars and chassis (-17.1%).
In contrast, imports of certain products were up in December. This was the case for diesel and biodiesel fuels (+635.4%), nickel ores and concentrates (which had no imports in November), pharmaceutical and medicinal products (+20.9%), and lubricants and other petroleum refinery products (+45.1%).
Imports for the year 2022 were 4.7% higher than in 2021.
The situation in Canada
According to data published by Statistics Canada on February 7, 2023, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars increased by 0.1% in December 2022 from the previous month. Canada’s merchandise imports were down 3.5%.
For 2022, Canada’s merchandise exports and imports were up by 1.5% and 6.2%, respectively, compared with 2021.
| International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage change) | |||||
| 2021 | 2022 | ||||
| Annual change | Monthly change2 | Cumulative change2,3 | |||
| November | Décember | ||||
| Québec | |||||
| Exports | 3.3 | -3.2 | 2.9 | 4.5 | |
| Imports | 11.9 | -2.6 | -8.8 | 4.7 | |
| Canada | |||||
| Exports | 1.0 | -3.7 | 0.1 | 1.5 | |
| Imports | 9.7 | -1.5 | -3.5 | 6.2 | |
|
1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices. |
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Useful links
International trade – Monthly data
International Trade Data Online: A tool for generating customized reports
Next release: March 21, 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.