The value of food-related exports last year soared 12.6 percent to
$30.8 billion, Statistics Canada reported Feb. 21. Strong wheat sales
in December helped boost the numbers.
At the same time, the value of agricultural and fish imports increased
9.7 percent to $20.3 billion last year. It means the food trade surplus
increased to $10.5 billion from less than $9 billion the previous year.
The food industry accounts for close to 17 percent of Canada’s total
merchandise trade surplus last year, according to the federal agency.
The food sector was one of Canada’s few exporting bright spots. While
the value of food sold abroad was soaring, the value of all merchandise
sales to Canada’s main customers was falling 2.2 percent to $413
billion.
Exports of forest products, machinery and cars slumped.
The value of food exports totalled $26.5 billion, a 13.2 percent
increase over the same period in 2000. The value of food imports was
nearly $19.2 billion, an increase of 10.1 percent over 2000.
The resulting trade surplus is $7.3 billion, an increase of 22 percent.
