October trade deficit falls to $1.1 billion, smallest since January

The improvement came as imports fell 6.3% to $44.7 billion in October after hitting a record high in September due to the import of a module from South Korea for the Hebron offshore oil development.

Import volumes fell 6.2% and prices edged down 0.1%. Exports increased 0.5% to $43.6 billion as prices rose by 1.2% and volumes declined 0.7%.

CIBC economist Nick Exarhos said after you strip out “some of the noise in the report” the data wasn’t particularly constructive for the Canadian outlook.

“Export volumes continue to track year-on-year declines, while imports — a barometer for internal demand — remain anemic,” he wrote in a research note to clients.

Statistics Canada said higher exports of energy products and motor vehicles and parts were partially offset by lower exports of consumer goods and aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts.

Exports of energy products increased 5.5% to $6.5 billion in October, while exports of motor vehicles and parts climbed 3.2% to $8.0 billion.

Exports of consumer goods fell 3.2% to $6.0 billion. Aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts dropped 4.5% to $1.9 billion.

TD Bank senior economist James Marple said the decline in export volumes is disappointing.

“With pressure on the housing market as a source of domestic growth and little traction on exports, the overall economy will continue to struggle,” Marple wrote in a report.

“With this backdrop in place, interest rates will remain at current levels and pressure will remain on fiscal and monetary authorities to support economic growth.”

Exports to the United States increased 1.6% to $32.8 billion in October, helped by crude oil and crude bitumen, while imports from the U.S. fell 0.1% to $29.7 billion to leave Canada’s trade surplus with the United States at $3.0 billion in October.

Canada’s trade deficit with countries other than the U.S. fell to $4.1 billion in October compared with $6.8 billion in September.