Exports up, imports steady, trade deficit shrank in September: StatsCan

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says country’s overall trade deficit shrank to $826 million in September, down from the $1.5 billion in August.

The federal agency says merchandise exports rose 1.9 per cent to $38 billion in September, led by energy products.

Meanwhile, imports held steady at $38.8 billion, with higher volumes offsetting lower prices.

Exports to the United States grew 1.3 per cent to $27.8 billion on higher exports of aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts, while imports from America edged up 0.5 per cent to $24.3 billion.

The trade surplus with the United States rose to $3.5 billion in Septemberfrom $3.2 billion in August.

Exports to countries other than the United States increased 3.6 per cent to $10.2 billion, while imports slipped 0.8 per cent to $14.5 billion, meaning thetrade deficit with those countries narrowed to $4.3 billion in September from $4.8 billion in August.