Exports are a vital source of economic growth and job creation that help support families in every corner of B.C.

The Province is committed to building stronger business relationships around the globe, and using the ministry’s international trade and investment network to connect export-ready B.C. businesses with new markets for their products and services.

In 2017, total British Columbia goods exports were $43.7 billion, an increase of 13% over 2016.

B.C. exports performed well with increased export volumes to virtually every major market. Pulp and paper products exports and energy products exports (primarily coal and natural gas) accounted for the majority of the gains.

Overall, B.C.’s 13% export growth in 2017 outperformed the Canadian average of 7% export growth.

Goods exports in 2017, compared to 2016

• United States – Goods exports were up (+7%) to $22.3 billion
• China (mainland) – Goods exports were up (+12%) to $6.7 billion
• Hong Kong – Goods exports were up (+11%) to $221 million
• Japan – Goods exports were up (+21%) to $4.5 billion
• India – Goods exports were up (+31%) to $1.1 billion
• South Korea – Goods exports were up (+35%) to $2.9 billion
• South East Asia (ASEAN) – Goods exports were up (+22%) to $940 million
• Pacific Rim (including Japan) – Goods exports were up (+18%) to $16.3 billion
• EU (CETA) – Goods exports were up (+28%) to $2.1 billion
• Philippines – Goods exports were down (-31%) to $153 million
• Indonesia – Goods exports were up (+16%) to $294 million
• Malaysia – Goods exports were up (+79%) to $67 million

Trade and GDP

• Provincially in 2016, the value of goods and service exports was proportional to 23% of B.C.’s GDP. Import values were proportional to 27% of B.C.’s GDP, so the total international trade value was equal to 50% of GDP (23% + 27%).
• Federally in 2017, the value of goods and service exports was proportional to 31% of Canadian GDP. Import values were proportional to 33% of Canadian GDP, so total international trade value was equal to 64% of Canadian GDP (31% + 33%).  

General exports, longer term comparisons

• From 2011-17, the total value of B.C. exports increased by 34%.
• The ministry is continuing to work to diversify B.C.’s exports. In 2017, 51% of B.C.’s exports went to the U.S. and 49% went to other markets worldwide.
• China (mainland) ranks second behind the U.S. for B.C. exports with 15% of B.C. exports shipped there in 2017.
• Softwood lumber exports to China, including Hong Kong, have increased 1,818% since 2003.
• For South Korea, lumber exports grew from $1 million in 2003 to over $73 million in 2017, an increase of 254%.
• British Columbia’s international network has grown to 17 trade and investment offices in priority markets across Asia, Europe and the United States.

Top commodities by country in 2017, compared to 2016

China

• Pulp and paper products (primarily pulp) were the top commodity export to mainland China, making up 33% of exports in 2017 and worth $2.2 billion. That’s up (+18%) from 2016.
• Solid wood products (primarily softwood lumber) made up 24% of exports to China, with $1.6 billion exported last year. That’s up (+7%) from 2016.
• Energy products (primarily coal) made up 14% of commodity exports to China in 2017, with $931 million in exports. That’s up (+29%) over 2016.
• Metallic mineral products (primarily copper ores and concentrates) made up 12% of exports in 2017, with $817 million in exports. That’s up (+1%) over 2016.

Hong Kong

• Machinery and equipment were the top commodity export to Hong Kong in 2017, making up 28% of exports to Hong Kong and worth $61 million. That’s up (+35%) over 2016.
• Agriculture and food other than fish made up 15% of exports to Hong Kong in 2017, worth $34 million. That’s up (+9%) from 2016.
• Fish products made up 15% of exports to Hong Kong in 2017, worth $33 million. That’s up (+40%) from 2016.
• Pulp and paper products made up 14% of commodity exports to Hong Kong in 2017, worth $30 million. That’s up (+7%) over 2016.

Japan

• Energy products, mostly coal, were the top commodity exports to Japan in 2017, making up 37% of exports and worth $1.6 billion. That’s up (+70%) over 2016.
• Metallic mineral products (mostly copper ores and concentrates) made up 26% of exports to Japan in 2017, worth $1.2 billion. That’s down (-1%) from 2016.
• Solid wood products (primarily softwood lumber) made up 23% of exports in 2017, worth $1 billion. That’s down (-3%) over 2016.

South Korea

• The top commodity exports to South Korea in 2017 were energy products (primarily coal), making up 46% of exports and worth $1.3 billion. That’s up (+52%) over 2016.
• $981 million in metallic mineral products (primarily copper ore and concentrates) were exported to South Korea in 2017, making up 34% of exports to South Korea. That’s up (+26%) over 2016.
• $192 million in solid wood products were exported to South Korea in 2017, making up 7% of exports to South Korea. That’s up (+4%) over 2016.
• Pulp and paper products made up 7% of exports to South Korea in 2017, with $203 million in exports. That’s up (+44%) over 2016.

India

• The top commodity export to India in 2017 was energy products (primarily coal), making up 62% of exports worth $652 million. That’s up (+46%) over 2016.
• Metallic mineral products made up 23% of exports to India, worth $245 million in 2017. That’s down (-5%) over 2016.
• Pulp and paper products made up 7% of exports to India in 2017, worth $69 million. That’s up (+11%) over 2016.

United States

• The top commodity export to the United States in 2017 was solid wood products, making up 27% of exports and totalling $6 billion. That’s down (-2%) over 2016.
• Energy products made up 20% of exports to the United States in 2017, worth $4.5 billion. That’s up (+33%) over 2016.
• Machinery and equipment made up 14% of exports to the U.S. in 2017, worth $3.2 billion. That’s up (+3%) compared to 2016.
• Agriculture and food other than fish made up 9% of exports to the U.S. in 2017, worth $2 billion. That’s up (+6%) over 2016.

European Union

• Energy exports made up 40% of exports to the EU in 2017, worth $841 million. That’s up (+107%) over 2016.
• Solid wood products made up 21% of exports to the EU in 2017, worth $450 million. That’s down (-1%) compared to 2016.
• Machinery and equipment made up 19% of exports to the EU in 2017, worth $398 million. That’s down (-1%) over 2016.
• Metallic mineral products made up 6% of exports to the EU in 2017, worth $135 million. That’s up (+76%) compared to 2016.

Philippines

• The top commodity exports to the Philippines in 2017 were solid wood products, making up 67% of exports to the Philippines, worth $103 million. That’s up (+6%) over 2016.
• Agriculture and food other than fish products made up 19% of exports to the Philippines in 2017, with $28 million in exports. That’s up (+46%) over 2016.
• $10 million in machinery and equipment were exported to the Philippines in 2017, making up 7% of exports to the Philippines. That’s up (+125%) over 2016.

Indonesia

• The top commodity exports to Indonesia in 2017 were pulp and paper products, making up 91% of exports to Indonesia. $268 million pulp and paper products were exported in 2017, up (+19%) over 2016.
• $10 million in machinery and equipment products were exported to Indonesia in 2017, making up 3% of exports to Indonesia. That’s down (-36%) from 2016.
• Agriculture and food other than fish made up 2% of exports to Indonesia in 2017, with $7 million in exports. That’s up (+50%) over 2016.

Malaysia

• The top commodity exports to Malaysia in 2017 were metallic mineral (primarily unwrought zinc) products, making up 41% of exports and worth $28 million. That’s up (+203%) over 2016.
• Machinery and equipment products made up 13% of exports to Malaysia, worth $9 million in 2017. That’s down (-17%) over 2016.
• Pulp and paper products made up 12% of exports to Malaysia, worth $8 million in 2017. That’s up (+89%) from 2016.