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    Québec’s international merchandise exports down 4.6% in September 2021

    Québec, November 18, 2021. – Québec’s international merchandise exports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 4.6% in September from August 2021. This finding comes from an analysis of the most recent of Québec’s international merchandise trade data released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    The products that contributed the most to this monthly decline were aircraft 
    (-50.6%), basic and semi-finished products of gold, silver, and platinum group metals and their alloys (-57.0%), other transportation equipment (-48.8%), and diesel and biodiesel fuels (-24.6%).

     

    Some of the products whose exports increased in September include iron ores and concentrates (+43.2%), pharmaceutical and medicinal products (+21.8%), basic and semi-finished products of non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal alloys (except unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals and their alloys) (+50.1%), and copper ores and concentrates, whose exports were negligible in August.

    For the first nine months of 2021, Québec’s international merchandise exports were up 3.7% from the same months in 2020.

    Québec’s international merchandise imports down 13.1% in September 2021

    Québec’s international merchandise imports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 13.1% in September from August 2021.  

    The products that contributed the most to the drop in imports in September were conventional crude oil (-33.7%), unwrought copper and copper alloys (-81.7%), passenger cars and chassis (-37.6%), as well as motor gasoline (including blending components and ethanol fuel) (-28.7%).

    However, imports in September increased significantly for a few products whose imports in August were negligible, such as ships, lead and zinc ores and concentrates, and diesel and biodiesel fuels. These also include imports of coke and other coke oven products (+148.8%). 

    For the first nine months of 2021, Québec’s international merchandise imports grew 12.0% compared with the same months in 2020.

    The situation in Canada

    According to data published by Statistics Canada on November 4, 2021, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars decreased by 3.4% in September from August 2021, while imports declined by 4.8%.

    For the first nine months of 2021 compared with the same period last year, Canada’s merchandise exports increased by 2.6%, and its imports, by 10.8%.

    International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage change)


      2020   2021
     
     

      Annual change   Monthly change2 Cumulative change2,3
         
     
          August September  

    Québec
    Exports -8.1   8.5 -4.6 3.7
    Imports -14.8   2.0 -13.1 12.0
     
    Canada
    Exports -6.5   2.3 -3.4 2.6
    Imports -9.2   -3.5 -4.8 10.8

    1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices.
    2. Seasonally adjusted data.
    3. First nine months of 2021 compared with the same months in 2020.
    Sources : Institut de la statistique du Québec and Statistics Canada..

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    Next release : December 21, 2021


    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.

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    Phone: 418-691-2401
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    E-mail: cid@stat.gouv.qc.ca

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