Québec, December 18, 2019. – Québec’s seasonally adjusted international merchandise exports in constant dollars increased by 4.4% in October 2019. This represents an increase from the previous month (+1.9% in September). These figures on international merchandise trade were released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The main commodities that contributed to export growth in October 2019 are aircraft (+42.5%), diesel and biodiesel fuels (+85.9%), iron ores and concentrates (+20.0%) and unwrought aluminum and aluminum alloys (+6.4%).
In contrast, Québec’s exports of copper ores and concentrates (-62.8%), medical and laboratory equipment (-18.8%) and measuring, control and scientific instruments (-14.1%) experienced the largest drops in October.
In the first ten months of 2019, Québec’s international merchandise exports in constant dollars rose 1.0% compared with the same period in 2018.
Québec’s international merchandise imports down 1.4% in October 2019
Québec’s international merchandise imports, seasonally adjusted and in constant dollars, were down 1.4% in October 2019. This is the second consecutive month in which a drop is observed (-2.5% in September 2019).
The main commodities contributing to this decrease are nuclear fuel (-93.9%), aircraft parts and other aerospace equipment (-15.5%), bauxite and aluminum oxide (-47.8%) and light-duty trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) (-6.8%).
However, Québec imports of lubricants and other petroleum refinery products (+207.3%), basic and semi-finished non-ferrous metal and metal alloy products (+ 251.1%) and conventional crude oil (+13.6%) all increased in October.
In the first ten months of 2019, Québec’s international merchandise imports in constant dollars increased 1.7% compared with the same period in 2018.
The situation in Canada
According to data published by Statistics Canada on December 5, a 0.5% rebound in seasonally adjusted merchandise exports in constant dollars was observed in October 2019. This growth comes after two consecutive months of decline (-1.6% and -1.7% in August and September 2019, respectively). For their part, Canada’s merchandise imports grew 0.7% in October (-2.2% in September).
In the first ten months of 2019, Canada’s merchandise exports rose 2.3% compared with the same period in 2018, while its merchandise imports increased by 1.0%.
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International merchandise exports and imports1 (percentage change) |
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| 2018 | 2019 | ||||
| Annual change | Monthly change | Cumulative change2 | |||
| September | October | ||||
| Québec | |||||
| Exports | 5.3 | 1.9 | 4.4 | 1.0 | |
| Imports | 8.4 | -2.5 | -1.4 | 1.7 | |
| Canada | |||||
| Exports | 2.4 | -1.7 | 0.5 | 2.3 | |
| Imports | 4.0 | -2.2 | 0.7 | 1.0 | |
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1. In constant dollars, at 2012 prices, seasonally adjusted. |
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International Trade Data Online: statistique.quebec.ca/international-trade
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.