Canada Trade Deficit Widens in February

Canada's merchandise exports decreased 0.6% in February, while imports edged up 0.1%. As a result, Canada's trade deficit with the world widened from $746 million in January to $1.0 billion in February.
Statistics Canada | Duarte Ricardo | duarte.ricardo@tradingeconomics.com
4/5/2013 1:44:12 PM

Exports decreased to $38.5 billion, as volumes were down 0.6% and prices were flat. Overall, exports of metal and non-metallic mineral products contributed the most to the decline. This was partially offset by an increase in motor vehicles and parts.

Imports edged up to $39.5 billion, as prices rose 0.6% and volumes declined 0.4%. Increases in 7 of the 11 import sections were mostly offset by a large decrease of energy products.
 
Exports to the United States decreased 1.1% to $28.4 billion in February, while imports were up 0.8% to $25.0 billion. Consequently, Canada's trade surplus with the United States decreased from $3.9 billion in January to $3.4 billion in February.
 
Exports to countries other than the United States increased 0.9% to $10.1 billion. Imports declined 0.9% to $14.5 billion. As a result, Canada's trade deficit with countries other than the United States narrowed from $4.6 billion in January to $4.4 billion in February.

Canada Trade Deficit Widens in February



News

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since August 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products, particularly gold in the United States. Imports also increased markedly for energy products (20.1%); metal ores and non-metallic minerals (17.6%); and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than market forecasts of a C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% month-over-month to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led aby a massive 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased for motor vehicles and parts (+5.9%), energy products (+20.1%), consumer goods (+4.1%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (+17.6%), and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (+24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (+10.5%).
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased for motor vehicles and parts (+5.9%), energy products (+20.1%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (+17.6%), and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (+24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (+10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% month-over-month to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led aby a massive 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased for motor vehicles and parts (+5.9%), energy products (+20.1%), consumer goods (+4.1%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (+17.6%), and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (+24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (+10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since August 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased markedly for energy products (20.1%); metal ores and non-metallic minerals (17.6%); basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8.2%) and motor vehicles and parts (5.9%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than market forecasts of a C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% month-over-month to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led aby a massive 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased for motor vehicles and parts (+5.9%), energy products (+20.1%), consumer goods (+4.1%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (+17.6%), and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% month-over-month to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led aby a massive 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased for motor vehicles and parts (+5.9%), energy products (+20.1%), consumer goods (+4.1%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (+17.6%), and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (+24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (+10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to $1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased markedly for energy products (20.1%); metal ores and non-metallic minerals (17.6%); basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8.2%) and motor vehicles and parts (5.9%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than market forecasts of a C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% month-over-month to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led aby a massive 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than market forecasts of a C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% month-over-month to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led aby a massive 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased for motor vehicles and parts (+5.9%), energy products (+20.1%), consumer goods (+4.1%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (+17.6%), and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (+24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (+10.5%).
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since April 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products. Imports also increased markedly for energy products (20.1%); metal ores and non-metallic minerals (17.6%); basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8.2%) and motor vehicles and parts (5.9%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest level since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (+24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (+14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (+10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Posts Larger-than-Expected Trade Gap
Canada’s trade deficit rose to C$5.7 billion in February 2026 from the upwardly revised C$4.2 billion in January and worse than the expected C$2.3 billion shortfall. This marked the widest trade gap since August 2025, as total imports surged 8.4% to a record high of C$72.1 billion, led by a 45.6% jump in purchases of metal and non-metallic mineral products, particularly gold in the United States. Imports also increased markedly for energy products (20.1%); metal ores and non-metallic minerals (17.6%); and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8.2%). Exports rose 6.4% to C$66.3 billion, the highest since March 2025, mainly on the back of shipments of motor vehicles and parts (24.2%); unwrought gold, silver, and platinum group metals, and their alloys (14.2%) and fishing and intermediate food products (10.5%). Canada’s trade surplus with the US shrank to C$1.7B, the lowest since May 2020, from C$4.9 billion in January, as imports surged 13.6% and exports rose 4.4%.
Published on 2026-04-02

Canada Trade Deficit Widens More Than Expected
Canada’s trade deficit widened to C$3.6 billion in January 2026 from a C$1.3 billion deficit in December and way more than the expected C$0.9 deficit. Exports fell 4.7% m/m to C$62.48 billion, with motor vehicle and parts exports down 21.2% as production stoppages affected passenger car shipments, while aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts decreased 16.0%. These declines were partly offset by a 4.1% increase in energy product exports, driven by natural gas. Exports to the US decreased 3.8%. Imports decreased 1.1% to C$66.13 billion, led by lower imports of motor vehicles and parts (-4.5%) and electronic and electrical equipment and parts (-3.6%), even as imports of industrial machinery, equipment and parts rose 3.4%. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed to C$5.4 billion, while the deficit with countries other than the US widened to C$9.0 billion.
Published on 2026-03-12

Canada Trade Deficit Shrinks More Than Expected
Canada’s trade deficit narrowed to C$1.31 billion in December 2025 from a C$2.58 billion deficit in November and beating expectations for a C$2.1 billion deficit. Exports rose 2.6% m/m to C$65.63 billion, with metal and non-metallic mineral exports up 18.0% as unwrought gold and related shipments rebounded, while aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts jumped 20.5% to a record high. These gains were partly offset by a 1.0% decline in energy product exports. Exports to the US increased 1.1%. Imports increased 0.6% to C$66.93 billion, led by higher imports of motor vehicles and parts (+5.1%) and metal and non-metallic mineral products (+7.7%), even as consumer-goods imports fell 4.5%. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed to C$5.7 billion, while the deficit with countries other than the US narrowed to C$7.0 billion.
Published on 2026-02-19

Canada Trade Deficit Shrinks More Than Expected
Canada’s trade deficit narrowed to C$1.31 billion in December 2025 from a C$2.58 billion deficit in November and beating expectations for a C$2.1 billion deficit. Exports rose 2.6% m/m to C$65.63 billion, with metal and non-metallic mineral exports up 18.0% as unwrought gold and related shipments rebounded, while aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts jumped 20.5% to a record high. These gains were partly offset by a 1.0% decline in energy product exports. Exports to the US increased 1.1%. Imports increased 0.6% to C$66.93 billion, led by higher imports of motor vehicles and parts (+5.1%) and metal and non-metallic mineral products (+7.7%), even as consumer-goods imports fell 4.5%. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed to C$5.7 billion, while the deficit with countries other than the US narrowed to C$7.0 billion.
Published on 2026-02-19

Canada Trade Deficit Widens More Than Expected
Canada’s trade deficit widened to C$2.20 billion in November 2025 from a C$0.395 billion deficit in October and way more than the expected deficit of C$0.7 billion. Exports fell 2.8% m/m to C$63.94 billion, with metal and non-metallic mineral exports plunging 24.4% as unwrought gold and related shipments reversed after strong gains, while motor vehicles and parts dropped 11.6%. These moves were partly offset by an 8.5% rise in energy exports, with crude oil and crude bitumen up 7.6% on higher volumes. Exports to the US fell 1.8%. Imports edged down 0.1% to C$66.14 billion, led lower by motor vehicles and parts (-4.5%) and energy imports (-10.6%; crude oil -30.2%), even as consumer-goods imports (including pharmaceuticals and clothing) increased. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US widened to C$6.6 billion, while the deficit with non-US partners widened to C$8.8 billion.
Published on 2026-01-29

Canada Trade Swings to Deficit in October
Canada’s trade swung to a deficit of C$0.58 billion in October 2025 from a C$0.24 billion surplus in September, although better than the expected 1.4 billion deficit. Exports rose 2.1% m/m to C$65.61 billion, but gains were narrowly driven by metals. Metal and non-metallic mineral exports surged 27.3%, led by a 47.4% jump in unwrought gold on strong shipments to the UK, while motor vehicles and parts increased 4.1%. These advances were partly offset by an 8.4% drop in energy exports, with crude oil and bitumen down 13.5% on weaker volumes and prices. Exports to the US fell 3.4%. Imports rebounded 3.4% to C$66.19 billion, led by electronic and electrical equipment at +10.2% and a 9.5% rise in metal and mineral imports driven by higher inflows of unwrought gold and platinum group metals. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed from C$8.4 billion to C$4.8 billion, while the deficit with non-US partners narrowed to C$5.4 billion, the smallest since January 2021.
Published on 2026-01-08

Canada Trade Balance Swings to Deficit in October
Canada’s trade swung to a deficit of C$0.58 billion in October 2025 from a C$0.24 billion surplus in September, although better than the expected 1.4 billion deficit. Exports rose 2.1% m/m to C$65.61 billion, but gains were narrowly driven by metals. Metal and non-metallic mineral exports surged 27.3%, led by a 47.4% jump in unwrought gold on strong shipments to the UK, while motor vehicles and parts increased 4.1%. These advances were partly offset by an 8.4% drop in energy exports, with crude oil and bitumen down 13.5% on weaker volumes and prices. Exports to the US fell 3.4%. Imports rebounded 3.4% to C$66.19 billion, led by electronic and electrical equipment at +10.2% and a 9.5% rise in metal and mineral imports driven by higher inflows of unwrought gold and platinum group metals. As a result, Canada’s surplus with the US narrowed from C$8.4 billion to C$4.8 billion, while the deficit with non-US partners narrowed to C$5.4 billion, the smallest since January 2021.
Published on 2026-01-08

Canada Trade Swings to Surplus
Canada's trade position swung to a surplus of C$0.3 billion in September 2025 from a C$6.3 billion deficit in the previous month, way above expectations for a C$4.5 billion deficit marking the second surplus so far in 2025. Exports of goods increased 6.3% from the previous month to C$64.2 billion, reversing August's weakness and helping end a period of volatility tied to tariff uncertainty with the United States. Imports of goods decreased 4.1% to C$64.1 billion, which turned the goods balance from a C$6.4 billion deficit in August to a C$0.2 billion surplus in September. Services exports edged up 0.7% to C$20.0 billion while services imports rose 0.8% to C$19.8 billion, leaving the services surplus essentially unchanged at C$0.2 billion.
Published on 2025-12-11

Canada Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
Canada's trade position swung to a surplus of C$0.3 billion in September 2025 from a C$6.3 billion deficit in the previous month, way above expectations for a C$4.5 billion deficit marking the second surplus so far in 2025. Exports of goods increased 6.3% from the previous month to C$64.2 billion, reversing August's weakness and helping end a period of volatility tied to tariff uncertainty with the United States. Imports of goods decreased 4.1% to C$64.1 billion, which turned the goods balance from a C$6.4 billion deficit in August to a C$0.2 billion surplus in September. Services exports edged up 0.7% to C$20.0 billion while services imports rose 0.8% to C$19.8 billion, leaving the services surplus essentially unchanged at C$0.2 billion.
Published on 2025-12-11