Saskatchewan exports in first quarter of 2020 up 4% over 2019

Saskatchewan’s exports were up in the first quarter of 2020 despite the impact of COVID-19.

In a media release Thursday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced exports from the province in the first three months of the year totalled more than $7.4 billion, up 4.2 per cent (seasonally adjusted) from the same time last year.

The increase was the fourth-highest among Canada’s provinces. National export numbers declined by 1.0 per cent.

“These positive export numbers from the first three months of the year show that Saskatchewan has what the world needs, and our province is well-positioned for a strong economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in the release.

“Due to the economic impacts of the ongoing global pandemic, we know there will likely be a drop in international exports in the second quarter and into the second half of 2020, but these numbers are very encouraging and we remain optimistic about the opportunities for Saskatchewan in the future.”

The province’s exports to China and Brazil fell, but shipments to Japan, the European Union, India, Mexico, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates increased.

Crude oil, canola seed, pulses, canola oil and meal, agricultural machinery, oats and soya beans showed the largest increases.

Saskatchewan’s exports rose 30.5 per cent between March and April, the highest rate of growth among the provinces.