OTTAWA, Ont. — Exports of meat and meat preparations were up 4.0% in April to a record high $463.4 million, leading the way for the growth in exports for the month.

"Shipments of meat have been on the rise this year, surging in three of the four months. Canada’s meat processing industry has expanded substantially in the face of an export ban on live cattle imposed by the United States," Statistics Canada commented in its Daily Bulletin.

Exports in the machinery and equipment sector also showed strength, rising 3.6% to $8.2 billion as aircraft and telecommunications firms filled a number of contracts.

Telecommunications exports reached $1.2 billion in April, their highest level since June 2001. Exports of telecommunication and related equipment peaked in December 2000 at $2.4 billion.

Natural gas exports, which drove the gain in energy products in March, declined 4.8% to $2.5 billion. This led to an overall 1.7% decline in exports of total energy products.

Exports of passenger autos and chassis fell 5.8% to $3.2 billion, their fourth consecutive decline. Trucks and other motor vehicles, up 8.4% to $1.3 billion in April, remain in high demand as trade with Asia continues to expand.
After a strong January and February, exports of forestry products have weakened, falling 0.7% in March and 1.0% in April. Lumber and sawmill products accounted for these declines.

Exports of other industrial goods and materials remained stable, with declines in metals and alloys and other industrial goods and materials offsetting gains in chemicals, plastics and fertilizers and metal ores.