Statistics Canada says the country’s merchandise trade balance fell to a deficit of $1.5 billion in February as exports fell.
The federal agency says the result compared with a surplus of $3.1 billion in January.
Total exports dropped 5.5 percent to $70.1 billion in February as exports of energy products fell 6.3 percent.
Exports of crude oil fell 4.2 percent on lower prices, while refined petroleum product exports dropped 15.3 percent due to lower shipments of diesel, mainly to the United States and Panama. Coal exports plunged 26.9 percent and natural gas exports lost 8.9 percent.
Meanwhile, total imports gained 0.8 percent at $71.6 billion in February, boosted by a 5.8 percent increase in imports of motor vehicles and parts and a 3.1 percent increase in industrial machinery, equipment and parts.
In volume terms, total exports dropped five percent in February, while total imports in volume terms were essentially unchanged for the month.
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