OTTAWA, Ont. — The latest issue of the Canadian Exporter Registry paints a telling picture of the growing importance of export trade to Canada’s future – a sobering thought considering the current climate for international trade.

A total of Canadian 41,267 establishments exported commodities in 2001, 35% more than in 1993, according to the fourth issue of the Canadian Exporter Registry.

The value of merchandise exports from these establishments totalled $367 billion in 2001, up 12.7% from 1999and more than double the level exported in 1993.

Establishments exporting more than $25 million annually continued to account for the majority of merchandise exports. In 2001, 4% of all exporting establishments accounted for 82% of the total value of merchandise exports.

At the enterprise level, the 50 largest exporting enterprises accounted for almost 50% of all merchandise exports. Establishments exporting less than $1 million annually represented 71% of all exporting establishments, yet they accounted for only 1.6% of the value of merchandise exports.

From 1993 to 2001, manufacturing accounted for an average of 69% of merchandise exports. These exports were led by transportation equipment manufacturing, followed by wood products and paper manufacturing. The wholesale trade industry was also prominent, with 22% of all exporters accounting for 12% of merchandise exports in 2001.