How Atlantic Canada’s trade winds blow globally
NO LONGER DERISIVELY KNOWN AS HEWERS OF WOOD AND DRAWERS OF WATER, Atlantic Canadians are making strides in international markets. The latest numbers (based on 2017 import/export activity) tell a compelling and sometimes surprising story.
Sources: Statistics Canada; Government of Canada, Trade Data Online
Incoming
The market worth of all imports to Atlantic Canada from international markets was $23.7 billion in 2017. The top 15 origins of imports accounted for more than 80 per cent of the overall value.
United States
Germany
Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom
Norway
Azerbaijan
Nigeria
Sweden
China
Cuba
Peru
Netherlands
Colombia
Belgium
South Korea
$6.1 billion
$3.4 billion
$2.5 billion
$1.6 billion
$1.4 billion
$1.3 billion
$775.3 million
$516 million
$516 million
$500 million
$408 million
$400 million
$371 million
$349 million
$346 million
What are we buying—from where?
Based on the value of commodities and products acquired, the top importing industries in Atlantic Canada ranked differently in prominence for each of the top five international sellers.
Outward bound
In 2017, the market worth of all exports from Atlantic Canada to international markets stood at $29.9 billion. The top five export destinations (U.S., China, U.K., Netherlands & Japan) accounted for more than 80 per cent of the overall value.
The big picture
Atlantic Canada sports a positive trade balance with the rest of the world, historically exporting more (in value) than it imports
Give and take
The five most active export and import industries for the region, in descending order of value produced.
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