(Makes clear in first para that imports grew faster than
exports)
OTTAWA, March 4 (Reuters) - Canada's trade deficit edged up
to C$655 million ($489 million) in January from C$631 million in
December as imports grew slightly more than exports, Statistics
Canada said on Friday.
Analysts in a Reuters poll had predicted a shortfall of
C$1.05 billion. January marked the 17th consecutive monthly
trade deficit, reflecting the continuing economic damage caused
by low oil prices.
Exports grew for the third consecutive month, rising by 1.0
percent to a record C$46.00 billion on higher shipments of
consumer goods and motor vehicles and parts. Export volumes
jumped 3.6 percent while prices dropped by 2.5 percent.
Imports climbed 1.1 percent to C$46.65 billion as nine of 11
sections increased, with gains in motor vehicles and other parts
being offset by a decline in aircraft and other transportation
and parts. Volumes expanded by 1.6 percent while prices fell 0.5
percent.
Exports to the United States, which accounted for 76.0
percent of Canada's global total in January, increased by 2.6
percent while imports grew by 1.1 percent.
As a result, Canada's trade surplus with the United States
grew to C$3.70 billion from C$3.13 billion in December.
($1=$1.34 Canadian)
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Graphic - Canada economic dashboard http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/15/sc-canada/index.html
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