NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2011JTI0101-000998 Aug. 12, 2011

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

 

B.C.’s exports surge 14 per cent in first half of 2011
Updated to correct B.C.-origin exports to Brazil

 

VICTORIA – Led by strong gains to Asia and Europe, British Columbia’s exports for the first half of 2011 are up by nearly 14 per cent compared with first six months of 2010.

 

Figures released by Statistics Canada show that B.C.’s international merchandise exports from January to June were worth $15.9 billion, compared with $14 billion last year.

 

Solid growth is being recorded in exports of forestry products, industrial goods and energy products, along with gains in agricultural and fishing products, machinery and equipment and automotive products.

 

British Columbia’s domestic-exports to Asia over the first half of 2011 are worth $6.9 billion, surpassing the $6.8 worth of goods shipped to the United States.

 

Healthy year-to-date increases in exports have also been recorded to the European Union, up by 27 per cent to reach $1.2 billion, and to South America, up by 44 per cent and worth $454 million.

 

During June, B.C.-origin exports were worth $2.98 billion, an increase of 11 per cent over what was exported in June 2010.

 

For the second month in a row, the value B.C. exports of softwood lumber to China surpassed the value shipped to the United States. In June, $130 million worth of softwood lumber was shipped to China compared with $125 million that was sold to the U.S.

 

Nationally, Canada’s exports over the first half of 2011 reached $201.1 billion, an increase of almost 10 per cent compared with the pace set in 2010.

 

 

Quotes:

 

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation –

“2011 has been an encouraging year for B.C. exports. Every day our province is exporting $88 million worth of goods worldwide, a daily increase of more than $10 million compared with last year.

 

“We’re achieving this growth directly to our ability to diversify B.C.’s export markets. Given the recent economic troubles in the U.S., it is imperative we continue this successful export market development strategy and builds on B.C.’s successes in Asia.”

 

A backgrounder follows.

 

 

Contact:

Ben James Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation 250 356-8177

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

 

BACKGROUNDER

For Immediate Release 2011JTI0101-000998 Aug. 12, 2011

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

Facts about B.C. exports

 

Year-to-Date (Jan. to June) B.C.-origin exports of:

·         Agricultural and fishing products – $1.07 billion, up by two per cent

·         Energy products – $4.6 billion, up by 17 per cent

·         Forestry products – $4.8 billion, up by 13 per cent

o   Softwood lumber  – $1.9 billion, up by nine per cent

·         Industrial goods – $3.4 billion, up by 20 per cent

·         Machinery and equipment – $1.6 billion, up by eight per cent

·         Automotive products – $137 million, up by two per cent

·         Consumer goods – $267 million, down by four per cent

·         Special transactions trade – $122 million, down by one per cent

 

Year-to-Date (Jan. to June) B.C.-origin exports to:

·         United States – $6.8 billion, up by 0.1 per cent

·         China (including Hong Kong) – $2.6 billion, up by 49 per cent

·         Japan – $2.3 billion up by 11 per cent

·         South Korea – $1.2 billion, up by 35 per cent

·         Taiwan – $343 million, up by 40 per cent

·         India – $73 million, down by 22 per cent

·         Brazil – $312 million, up by 44 per cent

·         European Union – $1.2 billion, up by 27 per cent

·         Mexico – $72 million, up/down by 32 per cent

·         Australia – $121 million, up by 12 per cent

 

 

Learn More:

 

·         Statistics Canada – International Merchandise Trade Report: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/65-001-x/65-001-x2011006-eng.pdf

·         Statistics Canada – International Merchandise Trade Database: http://cansim2.statcan.gc.ca/cgi-win/cnsmcgi.pgm?Lang=Eng&CIMT_Action=Sections&ResultTemplate=CII_CIMT5

·         BC Stats – Monthly export data tables: http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/exp/expdata.pdf

 

Contact:

Ben James Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation 250 356-8177

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect