OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the country posted a merchandise trade surplus of $1.8 billion in March, the first trade surplus since September.

The agency says the result compared with a deficit of $5.1 billion in February.

The surplus came as total exports rose 8.5 per cent to $72.8 billion in March, the highest level since January 2025, helped by increased exports of gold and higher oil prices.

Exports of metal and non-metallic mineral products rose 24.0 per cent to a record $15.3 billion in March, while exports of energy products gained 15.6 per cent at $17.1 billion.

Meanwhile, total imports fell 1.6 per cent to $71.0 billion in March as imports of consumer goods fell 3.9 per cent to $13.3 billion.

In volume terms, total exports edged down 0.3 per cent, while import volumes fell 2.0 per cent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2026.

The Canadian Press