Canada is a world leader in natural resources.

Learn about some important facts on Canada's international importance in natural resources.

Earth Sciences

• In geoscience and geomatics, and Canada ranks behind only the United States in geomatics and geoscience technology development and international revenues.
• Industry Canada estimated total exports of geomatics products at $260 million in 1997. Recent reports suggest a global market for geomatics products and geoscience services between $45 billion and $67 billion by 2004.
• The Canadian industry leads in supplying remote sensing equipment and technology such as ground satellite receiving stations. It supplies the global market with approximately 10 to 15% of world sales value of remote sensing products and services, half the value of electronics used in satellite data ground receiving stations and 25% of the value of image-processing systems.

Energy

• The United States is Canada's major trade market for energy products, accounting for 96% ($47.9 billion) of all Canadian energy exports.
• Canada accounted for more than 94% of U.S. gas imports and had a 16% share of the U.S. market.
• Exports of crude oil were 1 473 191 BPD in 2002, valued at $18.0 billion. More than 99% of these exports were U.S.-bound. Canadian crude oil held a 10% share of the U.S. market in 2002 and accounted for more than 16% of U.S. crude imports. Exports of refined petroleum products in 2002 reached a value of $7.5 billion ($7.2 billion or 97% to the U.S.) on a volume of 154.6 million barrels.
• Japan was the destination for more than 31% of the 27 million tonnes ($2.0 billion) of coal exported by Canada.

Forestry

• In 2001, Canada was the world's largest forest products exporter (18.4%).
• Forest products were a major contributor to Canada's surplus balance of trade in 2002 ($32.6 billion).
• In 2001, Canada ranks first in the world production of softwood lumber and second in the world for the production of newsprint and wood pulp.

Mining, Minerals and Metals

• Canada is one of the world’s leading exporters of minerals and metals products. Some 80% of Canada’s mineral production is exported. These products make a significant contribution to Canada’s international trade, accounting for about 13% of Canada’s total domestic exports.
• Canada continues to be the world’s leader in the production of potash and uranium, and ranks in the top five for the production of nickel, aluminum, zinc, gypsum, molybdenum, platinum group metals, salt, cadmium, titanium concentrate and asbestos.

For more facts on Canada's natural resources please go to the Important Facts on Canada's Natural Resources web site.