SMEs at a glance: Canadian exporters

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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SMEs at a glance: Canadian exporters
In 2023, 15.1% of SMEs exported goods or services. Among exporters, 34.3% exported goods only, 43.6% exported services only and 22.1% exported both goods and services.
SME non-exporters SME exporters
84.9% 15.1%
Of these 15.1% SME exporters:
Exported services only Exported goods and services Exported goods only
43.6% 22.1% 34.3%
The top 4 destinations are:
Exported to the United States Exported to Europe (excluding United Kingdom) Exported to the United Kingdom Exported to China
85.3% 23.3% 15.3% 12.3%
Percentage of SMEs that exported in 2023:
B.C. and Territories Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec Atlantic
16.8% 9.0% 12.5% 16.7% 18.5% 12.6% 11.5%
The 3 sectors with the highest proportions of SMEs that exported goods or services in 2023 were:
Manufacturing Wholesale trade Transportation and warehousing
40.3% 35.8% 27.5%

In 2023, 14.5% of majority women-owned SMEs exported goods or services, compared to 15.3% of majority men-owned SMEs and to 15.2% for equally-owned SMEs.

In 2023, around 24.3% of innovative SMEs exported compared to 11.9% for non-innovative SMEs.

Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, 2023.

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Cat. No. Iu188-171/2025F-PDF
ISBN 978-0-660-76190-9

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025.

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