OTTAWA — Canada’s merchandise imports declined 5.8 percent to $37.3 billion in August, the first decrease since March 2008, due to lower imports of energy and automotive products.

The decline in imports was the largest percentage drop since December 1991. Total import volumes fell 6.9 percent, while prices increased 1.1 percent. Volume decreases in energy products led the decline, while automotive fell 14.2 percent.

At the same time, exports continued falling, this time by 1.6 percent to $43.1 billion. Export volumes were also down 1.5 percent.

As a result, Canada’s trade surplus with the world increased to $5.8 billion in August from $4.2 billion in July.

Not surprisingly, merchandise trade with the United States declined on both fronts.

Exports fell 3.9 percent to $32.5 billion, primarily due to energy products, while imports decreased 5.8 percent to $23.9 billion.
Exports to countries other than the United States increased 6.0 percent, though while imports from these countries as a group declined 5.9 percent.

Imports of automotive products decreased to $6 billion, primarily a result of reduced imports of trucks and passenger autos as sales have declined in recent months.