Ottawa--Canada's trade deficit widened in December to Can$649 million (US$520 million) as a rise in imports outpaced export growth, the government statistical agency said Thursday.
The figure was up from a Can$355 million (US$285 million) deficit in November, which was revised downward from Statistics Canada's last release of trade data.
But the nation still ended the year on a high point, according to the agency, with higher overall trade swinging the total figure for last year from a deficit of Can$7.2 billion (US$5.8 billion) in 2013 to a surplus of Can$5.2 billion (US$4.2 billion).
In December, imports of crude oil and bitumen rose after several refineries came back on line following routine maintenance.
Imports of passenger cars and light trucks and parts, and metal and non-metallic mineral products also increased.
Meanwhile, exports of unwrought precious metals and precious metal alloys, as well as unwrought, basic and semi-finished aluminum and aluminum-alloy products were up.
Canada also exported more pharmaceutical and medicinal products, refined petroleum products and yellow peas, but less crude oil and bitumen, and natural gas.
AFP
