Québec, February 19, 2020. – Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise exports, in constant dollars, were up 6.0% in December 2019, following a 7.4% drop in November. These figures on international merchandise trade were released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The main commodities that contributed to the increase in December are unwrought aluminum and aluminum alloys (+30.5%), aircraft engines (+29.9%) and iron ores and concentrates (+14.0%).
The largest declines were observed in Québec exports of aircraft (-14.0%), oilseed products except canola (-23.4%) and ornamental horticulture and nursery products (-77.6%).
In 2019, Québec’s international merchandise exports in constant dollars increased for a third consecutive year (+0.4%), but the pace has slowed down from previous years (+5.9% in 2018 and +2.7% in 2017).
Québec’s international merchandise imports up 0.7% in 2019
Québec’s international merchandise imports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 2.6% in December.
This decrease was especially due to lower imports of motor gasoline (-29.9%), aircraft parts and other aerospace equipment (-20.1%) and basic and semi-finished products of non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal alloys (-75.9%).
Québec imports of aviation fuel (+66.9%), lubricants and other petroleum refinery products (+389.8%) and passenger cars and chassis (+5.6%) were up in December.
Québec’s international merchandise imports in constant dollars increased 0.7% in 2019, compared with 5.8% in 2018 and 8.2% in 2017.
The situation in Canada
According to data published by Statistics Canada on February 5, merchandise exports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, increased 4.4% in December 2019. As for Canadian merchandise imports, they fell 0.3%.
In 2019, Canada’s merchandise exports increased 2.3%, while merchandise imports rose 1.3%.
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International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage change) |
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| 2018 | 2019 | ||||
| Annual change | Monthly change | Annual change2 | |||
| November | December | ||||
| Québec | |||||
| Exports | 5.9 | -7.4 | 6.0 | 0.4 | |
| Imports | 5.8 | -2.2 | -2.6 | 0.7 | |
| Canada | |||||
| Exports | 2.5 | -1.4 | 4.4 | 2.3 | |
| Imports | 3.7 | -0.9 | -0.3 | 1.3 | |
|
1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices. |
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International Trade Data Online: statistique.quebec.ca/international-trade/#/
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.