Canadian international merchandise trade, May 2016

Canada's exports fell 0.7% to $41.1 billion in May. Export volumes declined 2.3% and prices were up 1.6%. Imports decreased 0.8% to $44.4 billion, as volumes were down 0.9% and prices edged up 0.2%. As a result, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with the world in May was virtually unchanged compared with April at $3.3 billion. ...

Real trade balance shifts to a deficit in May

In real (or volume) terms, exports decreased 2.3% in May, led by energy products; farm, fishing and intermediate food products; and motor vehicles and parts. Import volumes were down 0.9%, as lower imports of aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts, and metal and non-metallic mineral products were partially offset by higher imports of energy products. Consequently, Canada's trade balance in real terms went from a $213 million surplus in April to a $317 million deficit in May.

This has been excerpted from a 6 July 2016 release by Statistics Canada and is available in its entirety at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160706/dq160706a-eng.htm?HPA=1