Québec, December 16, 2020. – Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise exports in constant dollars were down 0.2% in October 2020 from the previous month (+4.7% in September). With this decline, the export level in October was 7.6% below that in February.
The decline in October was mainly due to a drop in aircraft exports (-32.9%). Iron ores and concentrates (-18.3%) and diesel and biodiesel fuels (-37.2%) also posted significant decreases.
In contrast, exports of oilseeds (except canola) (+571.9%), basic and semi-finished products of gold, silver, platinum group metals and their alloys (+133.3%) and unwrought copper and copper alloys (+21.0%) increased in October.
In the first ten months of 2020, Québec’s international merchandise exports in constant dollars declined 9.8% compared with the same period last year.
Québec’s international merchandise imports down 4.5% in October 2020
Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise imports in constant dollars were down 4.5% in October 2020 from the previous month (+9.0% in September).
Among the products that contributed the most to the decline in October, unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals and their alloys (-61.8%), conventional crude oil (-31.1%) and motor gasoline (including blending components and ethanol fuel) (-34.6%) experienced significant drops.
However, Québec imports of light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) (+5.6%), bauxite and aluminum oxide (+48.0%) and women’s clothing (+21.7%) increased in October.
In the first ten months of 2020, Québec’s international merchandise imports in constant dollars were down 16.9% compared with the same period last year.
The situation in Canada
According to data published by Statistics Canada on December 4, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars were up 0.9% in October 2020 from the previous month. For their part, Canada’s merchandise imports rose 2.5% in October (+1.3% in September).
In the first ten months of 2020, Canada’s merchandise exports decreased by 7.8% compared with the same period last year, while its merchandise imports declined by 10.8%.
|
International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage changes) |
|||||
| 2019 | 2020 | ||||
| Annual change | Monthly change2 | Cumulative change2,3 | |||
| August | September | ||||
| Québec | |||||
| Exports | 0.3 | 4.7 | -0.2 | -9.8 | |
| Imports | 2.7 | 9.0 | -4.5 | -16.9 | |
| Canada | |||||
| Exports | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | -7.8 | |
| Imports | 1.3 | 1.3 | 2.5 | -10.8 | |
|
1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices. |
|||||
International Trade Data Online:
statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/international-trade-monthly-data
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.