After a sluggish start to 2026, Canada saw a spike in merchandise exports to a record high level in April. In Alberta, export values jumped 25% year-over-year to reach the highest level seen since the pandemic era.

The main driver in April was a jump in oil prices caused by the outbreak of the Iran war.  However, the longer-term trend of rising export values is not solely due to higher oil prices. In this Twenty-Four, we examine the vital role non-U.S. international markets are playing in strengthening Alberta’s export profile.

Non-U.S. exports provide a much needed boost

Expanding trade with non-U.S. markets has become increasingly important over the past year, particularly in light of ongoing trade frictions with the United States. For Canada, most of the uplift in exports to overseas markets last year came on the heels of higher gold and energy prices.

Alberta saw its exports to international destinations outside the U.S. climb by 22%, even as exports to the U.S. market softened by 6.1%, in 2025. This momentum has carried into 2026 with non-U.S. exports hitting an all-time peak in April. In fact, Alberta has emerged as one of the primary drivers, after Ontario (in large part due to higher gold exports), of national exports destined for non-U.S. markets consistently since 2024.

Although still Alberta's primary trading partner, the U.S.’ share of Alberta's exports fell to 81% in April—the lowest since 2020.

Energy exports to Asian markets a key driver

The energy sector has played a crucial role in expanding Alberta’s international customer base. This is a structural shift we’ve been tracking closely with the development of new oil, propane, and now LNG export infrastructure. The latest data reinforces this story.

Following increases of 81% in 2024 and 65% in 2025, the combined value of Alberta’s energy exports to overseas markets climbed 52% in the first four months of 2026 relative to the same time last year.

The Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX), which began commercial service in mid-2024, has been a catalyst for overseas oil exports. Since then, crude shipments to Asia-Pacific markets have surged, representing more than 75% of TMX's total cargo last year. Supported by both higher prices and record levels of production this year, Alberta’s oil exports to China and South Korea have grown by 122% and 227%, respectively, year-to-date (YTD).

Other energy commodities have also experienced heightened demand. Amid regional instability in the Middle East, Alberta’s liquefied propane gas (LPG) exports to South Korea surged by 124% through April. Similarly, demand for Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been on the rise due to the Iran war. LNG export volumes averaged 1.4 billion cubic feet per day over the first four months of the year—a record level—as efforts continue to capture Asian market share previously held by Middle Eastern suppliers.

Some diversification gains in other sectors

While energy has played an important role in Alberta’s non-U.S. export growth, other sectors have also made strides recently. Exports of non-energy goods to overseas markets stood at the highest point in three years in April 2026.

After being in place for nearly a year, the Chinese government lowered tariffs on Canadian canola seed on March 1. Additionally, tariffs were suspended on products such as pork, peas, seafood, and canola oil and meal. This led to a substantial increase in exports of Alberta’s intermediate food, fishing, and farm products to China, which hit an eighteen-month high in April. Although the most significant gains so far have been in canola exports, there is also some optimism among beef producers regarding future access to the Chinese market.

Industrial chemicals, Alberta’s third-largest export category, have also seen growth in overseas markets despite a decline in U.S. exports so far this year. Through April, exports to non-U.S. countries saw a sharp increase, particularly in Singapore, Italy, and Mexico.

Bottom line

Broadening international trade ties is a strategic move that aligns with the Prime Minister's goal of doubling exports to non-U.S. markets within ten years. While progress in expanding to overseas markets has occurred, the key to success lies in building export infrastructure and fostering closer trade relations.

Alberta's resilience against U.S. tariffs, ongoing pipeline expansions, and strong 2025 crop production, exports are poised to drive growth in the provincial economy. Further gains are possible if new projects move forward, such as the new West Coast pipeline included in the Alberta-Canada MOU.

Answer to the previous trivia question: The fastest growing export market for Canadian aluminum in 2025 was the Netherlands.

Today’s trivia question: Where is the world’s oldest running LNG plant located?