Diversifying trade for Canada
Canada is actively expanding its economic presence around the world. Learn more about what that means, and how it benefits Canadians.
Most requested
15
free trade agreements in force
51
countries
≈66%
global GDP
Services and information
Canada’s free trade agreements (FTA)
Discover each of Canada’s FTAs through map and numbers
Canada’s trade and investments
Data on Canada’s global trade and investments and growth statistics with regions around the world
Delivering results for Canadians
How Canada’s trade and market diversification efforts have benefited Canadians
Diversify your exports
How Canadian companies can leverage Canada’s FTAs to access new markets and create opportunities for growth
Canada’s free trade agreements
Canada’s trade and investments
Merchandise two-way trade
(% growth: 2017-2024)
Source: Statistics Canada, Table: 12-10-0171-01.
Text alternative - Merchandise two-way trade
| Country/Region | Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| Europe | 42.63% |
| Asia-Oceania | 37.16% |
| Africa and Middle East | 43.49% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 41.27% |
| United States | 38.21% |
Service two-way trade
(% growth: 2017-2023)
Source: Statistics Canada, Table: 36-10-0007-01.
Text alternative - Service two-way trade
| Country/Region | Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| Europe | 50% |
| Asia-Oceania | 72% |
| Africa and Middle East | 73% |
| Latin America and Carribean | 25% |
| United States | 55% |
Two-way direct investment stock
(% growth: 2017-2023)
Source: Statistics Canada, Table: 36-10-0008-01 and 36-10-0433-01.
Text alternative - Two-way direct investment stock
| Country/Region | Growth (%) |
|---|---|
| Europe | 49% |
| Asia-Oceania | 67% |
| Africa and Middle East | 46% |
| Latin America and Caribbean | 69% |
| United States | 76% |
Note: Many Middle Eastern countries are included in the Asia-Oceania category, but some may be included in Africa.
Growth of Canada’s two-way goods trade before and after FTA entry into force
Source: Global Trade Atlas. Calculation of the OCE.
Text alternative - Growth of Canada’s two-way goods trade before and after FTA entry into force
| Time | GDP-weighted average across all FTA partners | GDP-weighted average across non-FTA partners |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years before FTA entry into force | 48% | 46% |
| -9 | 48% | 68% |
| -8 | 55% | 71% |
| -7 | 54% | 60% |
| -6 | 64% | 54% |
| -5 | 83% | 61% |
| -4 | 92% | 62% |
| -3 | 92% | 72% |
| -2 | 92% | 82% |
| -1 | 99% | 103% |
| Year of FTA entry into force | 100% | 100% |
| 1 | 110% | 99% |
| 2 | 110% | 98% |
| 3 | 121% | 95% |
| 4 | 148% | 89% |
| 5 | 182% | 99% |
| 6 | 202% | 125% |
| 7 | 219% | 116% |
| 8 | 247% | 128% |
| 9 | 278% | 118% |
| 10 years after FTA entry into force | 311% | 119% |
Canada’s overseas exports on track to reach diversification target
Source: Global Affairs Canada, Growing Canada’s exports to overseas markets by 50% - 2023 update.
Text alternative - Canada’s overseas exports on track to reach diversification target
| Canada's overseas goods and services exports, $ million | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2% required growth path | 194,507 | 206,664 | 218,820 | 230,977 | 243,134 | 255,290 | 267,447 | 279,604 | 291,761 |
| Overseas Exports | 194,507 | 214,279 | 220,966 | 206,960 | 225,004 | 264,093 | 267,701 |
Delivering results for Canadians
1,474
commercial agreements facilitated
$5.7B+
estimated value
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
134
new/expanded FDI
$27B+
worth
9,600
jobs created in Canada
Research and innovation partnerships
184
partnerships facilitated
57,401
services delivered
10,893
organizations benefited
- Between 2018-2019 and 2023-2024, services delivered in the Indo-Pacific region grew by 12% and in the Middle East and North Africa region by 21%.
- In 2023-2024, the Trade Commissioner Service delivered 118 FTA promotion initiatives across the regional office and international network, focused on CETA, CPTPP, CUSMA and other FTAs helping businesses understand how to leverage the benefits of FTAs.
- The Trade Commissioner Service is positioned to provide strong support for export diversification with 85% of Trade Commissioners located in countries other than the U.S.
Diversify your exports
Leverage Canada’s FTAs to unlock global opportunities
What is export diversification, and why does it matter for your business? Export diversification is essential for international growth, helping you build long-term stability and global success.
The exporter’s toolkit
- Business Development Bank of Canada: Financing and advisory services for small and medium-sized businesses at any stage of growth, across all industries.
- Canadian Commercial Corporation: Support in securing foreign government contracts for major procurements.
- Export Development Canada: Export financing and risk management solutions for international transactions.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: Access government services to grow your business, with support from Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.
- Trade Commissioner Service: Get tailored export advice and contacts, funding, accelerator programs, and other support through our global network in over 160 cities.
Unlocking trade diversification: Solutions for global growth
- Free trade agreements: Canada’s 15 FTAs with 51 countries provide preferential trade access to 1.5 billion consumers, unlocking global growth opportunities.
- Team Canada trade missions:
- Since 2023, 1,100+ delegates from 750 organizations travelled to 7 Indo-Pacific markets (Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia).
- More than one-third were underrepresented exporters, with 20% visible minorities and 10% women-owned.
- Over 3,500 business-to-business meetings led to sales contracts, distribution agreements, strategic partnerships, and signed non-disclosure agreements/memorandums of understanding.
- CanExport SMEs program: In 2023-2024, $38.3M approved for 1,773 small and medium enterprises to enter new export markets.
- The Canadian Technology Accelerators: Initiative helps high-potential Canadian technology firms scale up by connecting them with export, investment, and partnership opportunities in 12 global innovation centres. In 2023-2024, 167 companies participated, from the life sciences, cleantech, and digital sectors. As a result, they have reported to date over $106 million in new capital raised, $40 million in new revenue generated, and the creation of over 250 jobs.
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