Canada Imports2021 Data | 2022 Forecast | 1971-2020 Historical | Calendar | Chart

Imports to Canada rose by 5.3% over a month to CAD 54.1 billion in October of 2021. It was the highest reading on record, led by an increase in purchases of motor vehicles and parts (+27.2%), namely light trucks (+32.5%) and motor vehicle engines and parts (+34%), as the stoppages related to semiconductor shortages were less prevalent than those in September and August. Inbound purchases also increased for energy products (14.9%), driven by refined petroleum products (+23.8%) due to higher production from the United States as refineries restarted activity after Hurricane Ida, clothing, footwear, and accessories (+15.4%) and pharmaceutical products (6.6%).

Imports to Canada decreased 3% over a month to CAD 51.14 billion in September of 2021, the lowest since June of 2021, mainly due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductor chips and their impact on the production of motor vehicles in North America. Imports of motor vehicles and parts declined (-13.6%), with imports of parts and engines (-20.3%) posting the largest decrease due to lower vehicle assembly activity in Canada, followed by decrease in imports of passenger cars and light trucks (-12.5%) due to lower production in the United States. Also, imports of metal and non-metallic mineral products fell (-6.3%), led by unwrought gold (-17.7%) due to decreased imports from the United Kingdom followed by Copper (-80.7%). Imports of energy products were also down (by-10%) primarily on lower crude oil imports from the United States on account of disruptions caused by hurricane IDA on crude oil production on the US Gulf Coast and temporary shutdowns at some Canadian refineries.

Imports to Canada decreased 1.4% over a month to CAD 52.5 billion in August of 2021, despite gains in a majority of product sections, largely due to lower purchases of motor vehicles and parts (-11.1%), as global production of cars and trucks has been impacted by supply issues, significantly affecting Canadian imports since the beginning of 2021. The decrease in imports of motor vehicles and parts in August erased almost two-thirds of the gain observed in July. Purchases also fell sharply for aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts (-28.8%), namely aircraft (-80.7%) since no commercial airliners were imported. Imports of parts of railway rolling stock and of other transportation equipment (-46.3%) were also down in August.