Québec, March 25, 2020. – Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise exports in constant dollars were down 4.5% in January 2020 from the previous month (+5.6% in December 2019). These figures on international merchandise trade were released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The main commodities that contributed to the decline were oilseed products excluding canola (-84.7%), aircraft (-15.2%) and unwrought aluminum and aluminum alloys (-6.2%).
Commercial and service industry machinery and equipment (+61.2%), iron ores and concentrates (+10.6%) and aircraft engines (+9.7%) posted the largest increases in January 2020.
In January 2020, Québec’s international merchandise exports in constant dollars were up 4.7% from January 2019.
Québec’s international merchandise imports up 0.6% in January 2020
Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise imports in constant dollars increased 0.6% in January 2020, following a 0.5% drop in December 2019.
Conventional crude oil (+35.1%), light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (+14.3%), and basic and semi-finished products of non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal alloys (except gold, silver, platinum group metals and aluminum) (+274.5%) were among the largest contributors to the increase in January 2020.
In contrast, Québec imports of aircraft fuel (-39.6%), pharmaceutical and medicinal products (-25.0%), aircraft parts and other aerospace equipment (-10.1%) and lubricants and other petroleum refinery products (-37.3%) declined in January.
Compared with January of the previous year, Québec’s international merchandise imports in constant dollars were down 4.6% in January 2020.
The situation in Canada
According to data released by Statistics Canada on March 6, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars were down 4.1% in January compared with the previous month (+3.3% in December 2019). As for merchandise imports, they increased 0.4% in January (+0.1% in December).
In January 2020, Canada’s merchandise exports rose 3.8% compared with January 2019, while merchandise imports fell 0.5%.
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International merchandise exports and imports1 |
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| (percentage change) | ||||||
| 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||
| Annual change | Monthly change2 | Cumulative change2,3 | ||||
| December | January | |||||
| Québec | ||||||
| Exports | 0.5 | 5.6 | -4.5 | 4.7 | ||
| Imports | 2.5 | -0.5 | 0.6 | -4.6 | ||
| Canada | ||||||
| Exports | 2.4 | 3.3 | -4.1 | 3.8 | ||
| Imports | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | -0.5 | ||
|
1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices. |
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International Trade Data Online: International Trade Data Online
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.