Canada's Top Exports by Value (2024): Energy, Mining, Agriculture

Why Exports Matter to Canadians

Exports are a cornerstone of our economy. For example, roughly one-third of Canada’s national income comes from exports ^[2], underscoring Canadians' reliance on trade for opportunity and prosperity. They also support an immense number of jobs. About 4 million Canadians—or 1 in 5 workers—have jobs supported by exports ^[3].

They also help pay for our imports—everything from medical equipment to consumer electronics and food products Canadians depend on daily. A great example of this is the substantial impact of the oil and gas sector on our trade balance. Canada’s cumulative trade deficit over the past decade was $130 billion; if it weren’t for conventional oil and natural gas, that deficit would have ballooned to more than $1 trillion.

By selling Canadian-made products to the world—whether it's oil and natural gas, airplanes and cars, or wood and food—tax revenues generated from these exports also help pay for the public services Canadians count on, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement.

Canada’s Top 10 Exports in 2024

(1) Energy - $197 billion

•         Crude oil and crude bitumen - $147 billion
•         Refined energy products - $20 billion
•         Coal - $10 billion
•         Natural Gas - $8 billion
•         NGLs and LPGs - $5 billion
•         Electricity - $3 billion
•         Asphalt and petroleum coke - $3 billion

(2) Metals and minerals - $124 billion

(3) Food and produce - $102 billion

(4) Transportation - $98 billion

(5) Electrical machinery - $80 billion

(6) Other, medicine, medicinal, textiles, animal products - $74 billion

(7) Organic and inorganic materials - $67 billion

(8) Forest products - $38 billion

Key Highlights

• Canada exported $780 billion in goods and services in 2024, including re-exports ^[1]
• Canada’s economy benefits immensely from the energy sector, particularly oil and natural gas ^[1]
• In 2024, Canadian crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas exports accounted for $160 billion of exports, or 21% of Canada’s exports that year ^[1]
• Comparatively, other major industry exports in Canada in 2024 included ^[1]:
  • Plastics - $22 billion
  • Aircraft & spacecraft - $18 billion
  • Pharmaceuticals - $15 billion
  • Iron & steel - $12 billion
  • Paper & paperboard - $11 billion
  • Fertilizers - $9 billion
• Between 2010 and 2021, Canada’s combined oil and gas exports have ranged from $50 billion to $120 billion annually (dependent on commodity prices), before reaching a record high of $188 billion in 2022 ^[1]
• Canada accounted for 65% of U.S. crude oil imports in 2024; despite growing U.S. domestic production since 2010, Canadian heavy oil is not substituted by light oil produced from shale reserves ^[1]

Canada Needs to Build Trade Infrastructure

Canada’s natural resources are only as valuable as our ability to move them to domestic and international markets. Building new pipelines, power lines, ports, railways, and roads will move more Canadian-made goods—including our resource products—to buyers at home and abroad, supporting Canadian families who rely on exports to put food on the table. Improved trade infrastructure and corridors mean fewer bottlenecks, stronger pricing, and opening new doors for Canada’s export-based economy.

But we also need regulatory certainty. Over the past several years, self-imposed regulatory burdens, such as the oil and gas emissions cap, the West Coast tanker ban, and the Impact Assessment Agency, have blocked projects and discouraged investment, contributing to roughly $670 billion in suspended or cancelled resource projects since 2015. Amending or removing these roadblocks to development can help restore investor confidence and advance major projects forward.

When we develop our natural resources and get them to market, all Canadians win. By building new trade infrastructure, we diversify our export markets, increase economic resilience, and strengthen our communities coast to coast.

The World Needs More Canada

Global demand for the natural resources Canada has in abundance is rising fast. Our trade partners are seeking a reliable, long-term supply of everything from critical minerals and metals to oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

When we grow Canadian exports, we create more opportunity here at home—higher incomes, stronger communities, and more investment in every region. Expanding Canada’s exports means more jobs and careers across the economy, ranging from skilled trades and engineering to transportation, logistics, manufacturing, finance, technology, and more. These are often well-paid, long-term careers that support families and local businesses.

By increasing production and building the capacity to deliver, we can further position our country as a trusted leader for the energy, forestry, mining, and agricultural products the world needs.

More market access. More diversification. More prosperity driven by Canadian exports.

Exports are a strategic advantage, so let’s use them to secure a strong economic future for today and for future generations.

Join Us Today!

Canadians can’t afford to miss out on new natural resource development.

We must take action to make Canada the most competitive jurisdiction in the world for new job-creating investment.

A smart strategy is to play to your strengths and natural resources are Canada’s natural… pic.twitter.com/OEewQtHSvW

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) November 13, 2025

SOURCES:

_{1 - https://www.capp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Canadian-Exports-of-Crude-Oil-and-Natural-Gas.pdf}

_{2 - https://budget.canada.ca/2025/report-rapport/overview-apercu-en.html}

_{3 - https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/corporate/reports/chief-economist/state-trade/2025}