Québec, April 15, 2020. – Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise exports in constant dollars were up 1.1% in February 2020 from the previous month (-4.3% in January). These figures on international merchandise trade were released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
February’s increase was led by gains in exports of aircraft (56.6%), iron ores and concentrates (21.6%) and pharmaceutical and medicinal products (32.8%).
Exports of aluminum and aluminum alloys (-14.0%), aircraft engines (-21.9%) and diesel and biodiesel fuels (-46.3%) experienced the largest drops in February.
In the first two months of 2020, Québec’s international merchandise exports in constant dollars grew by 3.4% compared with the same period in 2019.
Québec’s international merchandise imports down 9.5% in February 2020
Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise imports, in constant dollars, fell 9.5% in February 2020 compared with the previous month, following a 4.0% increase in January.
Among the major contributors to the decline in February were conventional crude oil (-51.6%), light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (-13.8%) and aviation fuel (-52.2%).
Conversely, international imports of pharmaceutical and medicinal products (+36.8%) and aircraft engines (+64.5%) were up in February. In addition, imports of aircraft and nuclear fuel increased sharply in February, as imports of these two products were almost nil in January.
According to the non-seasonally adjusted data in nominal terms, the drop in imports in February was due in part to a decrease in imports from Asia (-19.8%). Among the 25 main products imported from Asia, 24 were down in February.
In the first two months of 2020, Québec’s international merchandise imports in constant dollars fell 6.1% compared with the same months of 2019.
The situation in Canada
According to data released by Statistics Canada on April 2, Canada’s merchandise exports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, rose 2.7% in February 2020, following a 3.9% decline in January. As for merchandise imports, they dropped by 1.8% in February.
In the first two months of 2020, Canada’s merchandise exports were up 5.4% from the same period in 2019. Merchandise imports, on the other hand, fell by 1.7% over the same period.
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International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage change) |
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| 2019 | 2020 | ||||
| Annual change | Monthly change2 | Cumulative change2 3 | |||
| January | February | ||||
| Québec | |||||
| Exports | 0.5 | -4.3 | 1.1 | 3.4 | |
| Imports | 2.5 | 4.0 | -9.5 | -6.1 | |
| Canada | |||||
| Exports | 2.5 | -3.9 | 2.7 | 5.4 | |
| Imports | 1.2 | 0,5 | – 1,8 | – 1,7 | |
|
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.