Canada’s merchandise trade surplus fell to its lowest level in six months in April as exports fell and imports rose, Statistics Canada said today.

After a modest gain in March, exports declined 2.3% to $37.1 billion, while imports registered their second consecutive gain this year, rising 1.2% to $33.1 billion.

That pushes Canada’s merchandise trade surplus from a revised $5.3 billion in March down to $4 billion, its lowest level since October 2005.

Exports of automotive products fell 8.4% as high gasoline prices and finance costs slowed demand for cars and trucks.

Shipments of machinery and equipment were down 3.2%.

The only increases came in exports of energy and farm and fishing products.