Statistics Canada says the country’s merchandise trade surplus rose to $3.1 billion in November, despite the disruptions caused by flooding and landslides in B.C.
The agency says the result compared with a revised surplus of $2.3 billion for October which was initially estimated at $2.1 billion.
The larger trade surplus came as total exports rose 3.8 per cent in November to $58.6 billion.
Exports of consumer goods climbed 9.0 per cent in November to $7.3 billion as large shipments of COVID-19 medication came into Canada for packaging and labelling and were subsequently exported. Exports of basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products increased 14.7 per cent to $3.8 billion.
Meanwhile, imports rose 2.4 per cent in November to $55.4 billion.
Imports of consumer goods rose 5.2 per cent in November to $12.3 billion, while imports of metal and non-metallic mineral products climbed 7.3 per cent to nearly $5 billion.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2022
