Exporters rise in last 10 years, but dip recently

OTTAWA — The number of Canadian exporters fell for the second consecutive year in 2006, but the total value of their exports rose to a record high.

According to Stats Canada’s latest Exporter Register, 45,641 establishments exported merchandise, down 5 percent from 2005. However, this amount was 19 percent higher than it was in 1996 and slightly higher than in 2000.

These establishments exported a record $404 billion of merchandise in 2006, a marginal gain of 0.7 percent from 2005 — the third consecutive annual increase, following three years of declining exports that began in 2001.

In the manufacturing sector, which predictably accounted for about one-quarter of the overall drop of exporters — declined 2.9 percent to about 21,000. Even so, the value of these goods, remained steady at $248.4 billion, which represented 61 percent of total merchandise exports in 2006.

Manufacturing accounted for about one third
of the total decline in exports in 2006.

In the wholesale trade industry, the number of exporters fell 5.2 percent to 10,297. While wholesalers accounted for just under one-quarter of the overall decline in exporters, they represent 58 percent of the total value increase between 2005 and 2006.

The number of exporters fell in every province, but Ontario represented 40 percent of the national decline, followed by B.C., which accounted for 27 percent and Quebec, 16 percent.

The largest 4 percent of such businesses accounted for 84 percent of the total value of exports in 2006. Those exporting less than $1 million a year represented 72 percent of all establishments, but only 1.5 percent of the total value.