Profile of Canadian Exporters 1996-2006

(Statistics Canada)

The number of Canadian establishments that export merchandise fell for the second consecutive year in 2006, but the total value of their exports rose to a record high, according to the latest version of the Exporter Register.

In 2006, 45,641 establishments exported merchandise, down 5.0% from 2005. However, this amount was 19% higher than it was in 1996 and slightly higher than in 2000. These establishments exported a record $404.4 billion of merchandise in 2006, a marginal gain of 0.7% from 2005. This was the third consecutive annual increase, following three years of declining exports that began in 2001.

In the manufacturing sector, the number of exporters declined 2.9% to about 21,000. This sector accounted for about one-quarter of the overall decline in the number of exporters. Even so, the value of exports from the manufacturing sector remained steady at $248.4 billion, which represented 61% of total merchandise exports in 2006.

In the wholesale trade industry, the number of exporters fell 5.2% to 10,297. This industry accounted for just under one-quarter (23%) of the overall decline in number of exporters. However, wholesalers represented 58% of the total increase in the value of exports between 2005 and 2006.

The number of exporters fell in every province. Ontario represented 40% of the national decline, followed by British Columbia, which accounted for 27% and Quebec, 16%.

Establishments that export more than $25 million annually continued to account for the majority of merchandise exports.

The largest 4% of exporting establishments accounted for 84% of the total value of merchandise exports in 2006. Those exporting less than $1 million a year represented 72% of all establishments, but only 1.5% of the total value.Establishments with fewer than 50 employees accounted for 73% of all exporting establishments, but only 31% of the total value.

Conversely, only 6% of all exporters employed more than 200 people. However, they represented 43% of the total value. Summary data is on the Statistics Canada website.