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OBORChina Economic Intelligence for Canadian Business

OBOR / LEVEL 01 — DISCOVER EDITORIAL PILOT

The trade movements worth noticing.

Canada–China economic intelligence for people making real business decisions. Start with a sharp observation, see what changed, and follow the question that matters to your industry.

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Evidence month · August 2026 · Canada–China merchandise trade

A CURATED TRADE INTELLIGENCE FEED

Find your industry. Follow the shift.

Twenty-four measured trade observations selected for their scale, historical pattern or regional contrast. Each reading identifies a product, business implication and practical next question.

24 findings 16 sector contexts

24 of 24 observations

EXPORTS TO CHINA01
Mining & Metals HS6 260300

Copper concentrate exports rose C$126.0M.

Recorded quantity fell 5.8%, moving against the change in declared trade value. Mining operators and concentrate traders can examine ore grade and shipment composition behind the rising export value.

INVESTIGATE

How did concentrate quantities and average declared values change?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$388.1M, 48.1% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$365.5M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS02
Automotive HS6 850760

Lithium-ion battery imports rose C$150.4M.

Recorded quantity fell 9.1%, moving against the change in declared trade value. Battery assemblers and EV suppliers have a substantial shift in the declared value of incoming battery shipments to investigate.

INVESTIGATE

Which battery specifications and supply channels explain the change in value per unit?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$210.9M, 248.8% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$138.3M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS03
Technology HS6 851713

Smartphone imports rose C$98.7M.

Recorded quantity fell 9.3%, moving against the change in declared trade value. Phone distributors can investigate handset mix and procurement terms behind the rising declared import bill.

INVESTIGATE

Which handset categories account for the higher average declared value per unit?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$486.7M, 25.4% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$80.8M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
EXPORTS TO CHINA04
Energy HS6 270900

China-bound crude exports rose C$657.8M.

Recorded quantity rose 70.1%, moving with declared trade value. Crude exporters and marine logistics operators can examine China-bound shipment capacity and sales commitments.

INVESTIGATE

How are crude shipment volumes and declared unit values changing?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$1162.0M, 130.5% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$2062.7M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
EXPORTS TO CHINA05
Agriculture & Food HS6 120510

Canola exports rose C$136.9M.

Recorded quantity rose 136.2%, moving with declared trade value. Prairie growers, grain handlers and exporters have stronger canola export flows to assess against handling capacity and sales commitments.

INVESTIGATE

Which canola shipment volumes and grades are contributing to the export increase?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$225.3M, 155.0% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$423.3M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
TWO-WAY TRADE06
Chemicals

Chemical imports expanded while exports contracted.

Chemical importers are receiving a larger China-origin trade flow while Canadian chemical producers have lower China-bound export value. Resin and industrial chemical categories reveal where the divergence matters.

INVESTIGATE

Which chemicals and polymers are driving the import growth and export decline?

Evidence & source

Imports from China increased C$141.6M while Canadian domestic exports to China decreased C$34.4M.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
TWO-WAY TRADE07
Forestry & Pulp

Forestry, building and packaging trade moved in opposite directions.

Packaging and building-material importers face an expanding China-origin flow while Canadian suppliers' exports in the broad group declined. Tracking packaging materials alongside pulp and wood categories identifies the commercially relevant products.

INVESTIGATE

Which packaging, pulp and building products explain the two-way trade shift?

Evidence & source

Imports from China increased C$59.9M while Canadian domestic exports to China decreased C$20.5M.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
REGIONAL DIVERGENCE08
Energy

Energy exports followed sharply different provincial paths.

Energy exporters and terminal operators can use the provincial split to examine fuel types, port logistics and China-bound shipping commitments.

INVESTIGATE

Which energy products and shipment volumes explain the provincial divergence?

Evidence & source

Alberta recorded a C$660.8M increase while British Columbia recorded a C$84.5M decrease in domestic exports to China.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
REGIONAL DIVERGENCE09
Industrial Machinery

China-origin machinery imports diverged across provinces.

Equipment distributors can investigate the rise in Ontario customs clearances alongside Quebec's decline, focusing on machinery classes and inbound logistics routes.

INVESTIGATE

Which equipment categories and clearance routes account for the provincial split?

Evidence & source

Ontario recorded a C$159.3M increase while Quebec recorded a C$19.6M decrease in imports cleared from China.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
REGIONAL DIVERGENCE10
Mining & Metals

Mineral exports grew in one province as another contracted.

Mine operators and concentrate traders can compare ore categories, shipment quantities and export channels across the two provinces.

INVESTIGATE

Which mineral products and shipping patterns explain the contrasting export figures?

Evidence & source

Quebec recorded a C$72.5M increase while Manitoba recorded a C$29.2M decrease in domestic exports to China.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
EXPORTS TO CHINA11
Forestry & Pulp HS6 470321

Bleached coniferous pulp exports fell C$69.3M.

Recorded quantity fell 33.4%, moving with declared trade value. Canadian pulp producers and carriers can compare China-bound coniferous pulp shipments with production and contract volumes.

INVESTIGATE

Which grades and customer channels account for the pulp export decline?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$106.8M, 39.4% lower than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value decreased C$132.9M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS12
Manufacturing HS6 760612

Aluminium alloy sheet imports rose C$75.6M.

Recorded quantity rose 93.4%, moving with declared trade value. Metal fabricators have an expanding China-origin supply flow to examine across aluminium alloy sheet grades.

INVESTIGATE

Which sheet grades and customer applications account for the increase?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$122.4M, 161.7% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$154.3M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
EXPORTS TO CHINA13
Agriculture & Food HS6 310420

Potash exports rose C$62.9M.

Recorded quantity rose 167.5%, moving with declared trade value. Potash producers and fertilizer traders can examine China-bound tonnage and contracting schedules.

INVESTIGATE

How did potash shipment volumes and average declared values change?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$94.7M, 197.8% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$118.5M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS14
Industrial Machinery HS6 842952

Excavator imports rose C$46.3M.

Recorded quantity fell 8.2%, moving against the change in declared trade value. Construction-equipment distributors can examine changes in excavator models and specifications behind the import movement.

INVESTIGATE

Which excavator models account for the change in declared value per unit?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$61.3M, 307.8% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$92.3M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS15
Consumer Electronics HS6 950450

Video game console imports fell C$76.5M.

Console wholesalers and retailers can examine platform-cycle inventories and import ordering.

INVESTIGATE

Which console families and shipment schedules explain the decline?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$12.5M, 85.9% lower than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value decreased C$157.4M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS16
Manufacturing HS6 847330

Computer parts imports rose C$45.1M.

IT component distributors can examine parts availability for computer assembly and repair.

INVESTIGATE

Which computing components account for the import increase?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$74.6M, 153.2% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$34.2M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS17
Retail & Seasonal Goods HS6 950510

Christmas goods imports rose C$30.0M.

Seasonal merchandise importers can track buying windows and inventory commitments for Christmas goods.

INVESTIGATE

Did the import shift reflect an earlier seasonal buying window?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$98.5M, 43.9% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$4.1M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS18
Technology HS6 847130

Portable computer imports rose C$57.8M.

The monthly increase contrasted with the three-month decrease. Recorded quantity rose 3.3%, moving with declared trade value. Laptop and computer distributors can compare import ordering, device categories and inventory timing.

INVESTIGATE

Which portable computing models explain the August import movement?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$229.4M, 33.7% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value decreased C$138.9M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS19
Information Technology HS6 847150

Computer processing unit imports rose C$44.7M.

Recorded quantity rose 29.1%, moving with declared trade value. Server integrators and electronics wholesalers can investigate expanded imports of computing processing units.

INVESTIGATE

Which processing-unit categories contributed to the increase?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$56.7M, 371.8% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$65.6M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
EXPORTS TO CHINA20
Chemicals HS6 390140

Ethylene copolymer exports fell C$39.2M.

Recorded quantity fell 66.2%, moving with declared trade value. Polymer manufacturers can assess export concentration across resin grades and China-bound customers.

INVESTIGATE

Which copolymer grades and shipment volumes explain the contraction?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$20.1M, 66.0% lower than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value decreased C$70.5M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS21
Transportation HS6 880730

Aircraft parts imports fell C$37.2M.

Aerospace suppliers can examine the component categories underlying changing China-origin imports.

INVESTIGATE

Which aircraft parts and procurement cycles explain the fall?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$8.1M, 82.0% lower than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value decreased C$103.6M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS22
Construction Machinery HS6 842951

Front-end loader imports rose C$21.4M.

Recorded quantity rose 83.6%, moving with declared trade value. Construction fleet operators can examine the imported loader mix and replacement capacity.

INVESTIGATE

Which loader classes account for the increase?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$39.9M, 115.2% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$28.7M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
CHINA-ORIGIN IMPORTS23
Heating & Cooling HS6 841590

Air-conditioning parts imports rose C$17.8M.

HVAC distributors can examine imported replacement parts and service supply.

INVESTIGATE

Which air-conditioning components are entering in greater value?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, China-origin imports reached C$38.7M, 85.0% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$16.4M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
EXPORTS TO CHINA24
Healthcare HS6 300490

Packaged medicine exports rose C$7.9M.

Recorded quantity fell 47.2%, moving against the change in declared trade value. Pharmaceutical exporters can compare the higher declared value of China-bound medicines with the decline in recorded shipment units.

INVESTIGATE

Which medicine formulations and shipment sizes explain the increase in average declared unit value?

Evidence & source

In August 2026, domestic exports to China reached C$39.3M, 25.0% higher than August 2025. Across the latest three months, trade value increased C$78.6M versus the same months a year earlier.

Customs basis · monthly, unadjusted · August 2026 compared with August 2025

Official Statistics Canada source
Open research tool
FROM DISCOVERY TO INVESTIGATION

The observation is your starting point.

Use the research instruments to test a question, compare provinces or examine product flows. The discovery layer points to the next investigation, while each tool retains its own evidence and controls.

Explore a research questionChoose a question and examine source-backed evidence Trace a productInspect reviewed Canada–China HS6 goods Compare provincial movementsExplore regional customs-based trade figures
An editorial prototype built from OBOR's reviewed product catalogue and Statistics Canada customs records, using August 2026 and year-earlier comparisons. Industry labels are reviewed thematic connections; product measurements are HS6 records. Provincial import figures reflect customs clearances. Explore OBOR sources and methodology.