Saskatchewan is trending for another record of exports, which are already leading the nation in annual increases.
"Last year we broke a record in terms of exports - $32.5 billion exported from the province. We moved ahead of British Columbia. Not bad for a place without any ports. We're on track in the first six months of this year to beat last year's record. The stars are oil and potash and agriculture but we're also diversifying into more manufacturing exports as well," said Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
Indeed, Saskatchewan's merchandise export trade continues to thrive, according to a Statistics Canada report.
In May, merchandise exports totalled $3.07 billion, up by 8.1 per cent from May 2012, the highest percentage increase ever for the month. Saskatchewan exports totalled $3.2 billion in April 2013, also a record for the month.
"The impressive numbers we're seeing so far this year leads us to predict that 2013 will be another strong year for Saskatchewan companies and the people they employ," said Don Morgan, Saskatchewan's advanced education minister.
During the first five months of 2013, Saskatchewan exports were nearly $15 billion, the highest ever for that period. On a year-to-date basis, the provincial government says the largest increases were posted in consumer goods, which were up 97.6 per cent over the same period in 2012.
There were also significant increases in metal ores and non-metallic mineral products, forestry and industrial machinery in the province.
"Saskatchewan's a rising star in the Canadian export market at the moment, and is in the perfect spot to meet the demands of food, energy and other products in the global marketplace," said Morgan.
Statistics Canada says Canada's merchandise deficit fell in May to $303 million, down from $951 million the previous month.
from Western Investor October 2013
