Record-setting exports of chemicals, plastics and fertilizers helped Canada’s merchandise trade surplus increase to $4.2 billion in August, compared with $3.9 billion in July.

Statistics Canada today reported that Canadian companies exported merchandise worth $38.7 billion in August, up 0.3% from July. Imports declined 0.6% to $34.5 billion.

Canada’s trade surplus with the United States, the country’s largest trading partner, moved up from $8.1 billion in July to $8.2 billion in August. A decline in imports exceeded the drop seen in exports.

StatsCan said exports of chemicals, plastics and fertilizers were up 6.8%, while shipments of metal ores surged 11.6%.

Exports of energy products declined 2.2% to $7.7 billion, as prices declined for crude petroleum.

Imports of automotive products fell, counteracting increases in imports of energy, agriculture, forest products, industrial goods and machinery.