Statistics Canada today reported the country’s merchandise trade surplus moved up to $4.7 billion in June from $4.1 billion in May, the second consecutive month it has grown.

The government agency said the trade surplus with the United States stood at $8.2 billion in June, and the trade deficit with all other countries was $3.5 billion.

StatsCan said exports increased by 1.1% to $37.6 billion in June, mostly because of energy products, and industrial goods and materials.

At the same time, Canadian companies imported $32.8 billion worth of merchandise, down 0.7% from May.

Imports slipped for the second month in a row.

Exports advanced to the United States, Japan and the European Union, but declined to all other trading areas.

On the import side, there were large declines in imports of energy products and industrial goods.