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    Québec’s international merchandise exports up 3.1% in March 2021

    Québec, May 18, 2021. – Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise exports in constant dollars were up 3.1% in March from February 2021. This finding comes from an analysis of the most recent international merchandise trade data for Québec released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    The products that contributed the most to the increase in exports in March were iron ores and concentrates (+34.4%), other metal ores and concentrates not elsewhere classified (+915.2%), basic and semi-finished products of gold, silver, and platinum group metals and their alloys (+177.6%), and aircraft (+11.2%).

    However, exports of some other products posted sharp declines, including commercial and service industry machinery and equipment (-69.2%), heavy fuel oils (-86.3%), jewellery, cut gems, jewellery findings, hollowware and flatware and other articles of precious metal (-92.0%), and electricity (-57.0%).

    For the first three months of 2021, Québec’s total exports were down 3.9% compared with the same months in 2020.

    Québec’s international merchandise imports up 11.4% in March 2021

    Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise imports in constant dollars were up 11.4% in March from February 2021.  

    The products that contributed the most to the increase in imports in March 2021 were motor gasoline, whose import volume was particularly low in February, conventional crude oil (+49.2%), and basic and semi-finished products of non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal alloys (+206.7%).

    On the other hand, imports in March were down for many products, such as pharmaceutical and medicinal products (-19.9%), wine and brandy (-45.1%), unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals and their alloys (-22.7%), and lubricants and other petroleum refinery products (-33.9%).

    For the first three months of 2021, Québec’s imports were up 1.5% compared with the same months in 2020.

    The situation in Canada

    According to data published by Statistics Canada on May 4, Canada’s seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars increased by 0.9% in March 2021 from February. Meanwhile, Canada’s merchandise imports rose by 7.2%.

    In the first three months of 2021, compared with the same period last year, Canada’s merchandise exports were up by 0.4%, while its imports increased by 3.8%.

    International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage changes)


      2020   2021
     
     

      Annual change   Monthly change2 Cumulative change2,3
         
     
          February March  

    Québec
    Exports -8.7   -3.9 3.1 -3.9
    Imports -15.2   -0.9 11.4 1.5
     
    Canada
    Exports -6.4   -3.5 0.9 0.4
    Imports – 9.3   – 2.8 7.2 3.8

    1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices.
    2. Seasonally adjusted.
    3. First three 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: June 22, 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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    E-mail: cid@stat.gouv.qc.ca

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