The Canadian Press

Canada’s merchandise exports rose 3.5% in September, while there was little change in imports.

Statistics Canada reports the trade deficit shrunk to $927 million from $2 billion in August.

The agency says exports rose by $1 billion to $30.3 billion in September, as volumes increased 4.5%.

Exports have been on a downward trend since July 2008 and reached a low point in May 2009 before increasing in three of the past four months.

Automotive products, industrial goods and materials, and machinery and equipment were the main sources of growth for exports.

Energy products mitigated the gains.

Imports edged down 0.1% to $31.2 billion, as volumes fell 0.8%.

However, declines in imports in both August and September did not offset the strong gain in July 2009.

There were declines occurred in imports of automotive products, machinery and equipment, energy products and agricultural and fishing products.

These were mostly offset by a solid gain in imports of industrial goods and materials. If this sector was excluded, total imports would have declined 2.1%.