Statistics Canada says merchandise trade deficit fell to $966 million in August
Posted October 4, 2019 8:53 am.
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the country’s merchandise trade deficit fell to $966 million in August compared with $1.4 billion in July.
Economists had expected a deficit of $1 billion, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.
The smaller deficit came as exports rose for the first time after two months of declines.
Exports rose 1.8 per cent, boosted by a 3.9 per cent gain in the export of energy products and a 38.7 per increase in aircraft exports.
Imports climbed 1.0 per cent, mostly on higher imports of gold and crude oil.
Imports of metal and non-metallic mineral products rose 9.4 per cent, while imports of energy products climbed 9.7 per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2019.
The Canadian Press
