Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeNewsEconomyCanadian trade surplus widens to $4.2 billion in MayIt's the largest trade surplus since May 2022Last updated 57 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.May's increase was primarily driven by a 16.1 per cent increase in exports of metal ores and non-metallic mineral products. Photo by John Lappa/Sudbury StarCanada posted a trade surplus for the fourth consecutive month in May, driven primarily by higher sulphur shipments.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorData published by Statistics Canada on Tuesday showed total exports rose by 0.9 per cent to reach a record $77.1 billion in May, widening Canada’s trade surplus to $4.2 billion.It is the largest trade surplus since May 2022 and follows surpluses of $3.4-billion in April 2026 and $1.8-billion in March.May’s increase was primarily driven by a 16.1 per cent increase in exports of metal ores and non-metallic mineral products.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againGains were broad-based in this category, with the sharpest spike observed in sulphur exports (37 per cent) due to boosted fertilizer prices as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz slowed global sulphur shipments. Exports of gold ore also more than doubled in May due to increased shipments to China.Exports of metal and non-metallic mineral products were also up by 1.5 per cent in May, despite a fall in gold exports. A 50.7 per cent increase in aluminum exports, particularly to the Netherlands, Greece and Italy, helped drive that gain.May’s overall increase in exports was partially offset by a two per cent decrease in energy products, after a sharp rise in crude oil products led to a 43.1 per cent increase from February to April. StatCan officials said lower crude oil exports — which declined by 5.4 per cent in May — contributed the most to the decline in this category because of lower volumes. Higher exports of nuclear fuel, natural gas and refined petroleum energy products moderated the overall decline in energy products.By volume, total exports were unchanged following a three per cent increase in April.Total imports edged down by 0.2 per cent in May after reaching a record high in April, mainly due to lower imports of metal and non-metallic products, especially gold. If this category was excluded, imports rose by 1.9 per cent in May. In volume terms, total imports were up 0.4 per cent.Canada’s trade surplus with the United States widened from $10.3 billion in April to $11.6 billion in May, the largest surplus since January 2025.However, exports to non-U.S. markets fell for a second consecutive month, edging down 0.3 per cent in May after a four per cent decrease in April. Lower exports of gold to the United Kingdom contributed significantly to the decline.Imports from non-U.S. markets rose by 1.5 per cent in May, due to increased shipments of passenger cars and light trucks from South Korea and “various products” from China, StatCan said.ptran@postmedia.com Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.