Commodity Prices and Trade Updates
Connect
Contact Us
Please send comments, questions, or suggestions for Market Snapshot topics to snapshots@cer-rec.gc.ca
Monthly Data Tables – August 2020
The prices for each commodity in Canada track U.S. benchmark prices, with differences primarily related to the cost of transportation and regional supply and demand dynamics. Crude oil and propane prices are generally quoted in U.S. dollars, whereas natural gas and electricity prices are often quoted in Canadian dollars due to their higher proportion of domestic retail sales. Changes in the exchange rate affect revenue received for exports (or the cost of imports). The table below shows Canadian and U.S. benchmark prices, with recent month-to-month and year-over-year comparisons.
| Commodity Price Update | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| September | August | 2020 Avg. | September | August | 2019 Avg. | ||
| Exchange Rate | Canadian $ / U.S. $ | 1.32 | 1.32 | 1.35 | 1.32 | 1.33 | 1.33 |
| Crude Oil Prices (US$/bbl) |
West Texas Intermediate | 39.63 | 42.34 | 38.16 | 57.03 | 54.81 | 56.98 |
| Brent | 40.91 | 44.74 | 40.96 | 62.92 | 59.04 | 64.35 | |
| Western Canadian Select | 30.24 | 30.01 | 26.85 | 44.35 | 42.49 | 42.45 | |
| Natural Gas Prices (CA$/GJ) |
Henry Hub | 2.38 | 2.81 | 2.33 | 3.16 | 2.74 | 3.21 |
| Alberta NIT | 2.14 | 2.36 | 1.98 | 0.68 | 0.84 | 1.64 | |
| Dawn | 2.21 | 2.52 | 2.22 | 2.70 | 2.57 | 3.06 | |
| Station 2 | 2.18 | 2.34 | 1.96 | 0.55 | 0.74 | 0.88 | |
| Propane Prices (US cents per gallon) |
Edmonton | 47.0 | 47.0 | 44.8 | 33.9 | 32.0 | 38.6 |
| Sarnia | 58.6 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 56.3 | 53.7 | 72.0 | |
| Mont Belvieu | 49.0 | 51.7 | 42.9 | 44.8 | 41.9 | 53.5 | |
| Conway | 44.5 | 47.3 | 40.8 | 39.0 | 34.0 | 47.9 | |
| Electricity Prices (CA$/MW.h) |
Alberta (AESO On-Peak) | 39.45 | 49.10 | 55.12 | 65.37 | 52.53 | 64.60 |
| Ontario (IESO On-Peak) | 16.89 | 22.40 | 16.76 | 18.88 | 20.76 | 21.61 | |
| Ontario (IESO On-Peak + Global Adjustment) | 138.65 | 125.88 | 128.35 | 141.51 | 146.83 | 130.84 | |
Sources and Notes
Sources: Exchange Rate: Bank of Canada; Crude Oil Prices: NE2 Group, EIA; Natural Gas Prices: Platts; Propane Prices: Butane-Propane News; Electricity Prices: IESO, AESO.
Note: Visit the NEB Energy Conversion Tables for unit conversions. E = Estimate
Canada is a net exporter of crude oil, natural gas, propane and electricity. The CER regulates the exports of crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, NGLs and electricity. The CER also regulates natural gas imports and collects statistics for electricity imports. The table below shows these commodity exports and imports, with recent month-to-month and year-over-year comparisons.
| Trade Volumes Update | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| July | June | Avg. | July | May | Avg. | ||
| Crude Oil Volumes (Mb/d) |
Exports | 3,617 | 3,385 | 4,345 | 3,674 | 3,903 | 3,755 |
| Refined Petroleum Products Volumes (Mb/d) |
Exports | 314 | 261 | Confidential | 322 | 374 | 254 |
| Natural Gas Volumes (Bcf/d) |
Exports | 6.63 | 6.17 | 7.99 | 6.58 | 7.03 | 7.41 |
| Imports | 2.04 | 1.90 | 2.66 | 1.84 | 2.14 | 2.40 | |
| Net Exports | 4.59 | 4.27 | 5.33 | 4.74 | 4.89 | 5.00 | |
| Propane Volumes (Mb/d) |
Exports | 111 | 106 | 176 | 177 | 158 | 187 |
| Butanes Volumes (Mb/d) |
Exports | 33 | 37 | 35 | 50 | 60 | 57 |
| Electricity (GW.h) |
Exports | 7,126 | 5,774 | 5,636 | 4,870 | 4,497 | 5,031 |
| Imports | 722 | 808 | 939 | 968 | 1,246 | 1,114 | |
| Net Exports | 6,404 | 4,966 | 4,697 | 3,903 | 3,251 | 3,917 | |
Sources and notes
Sources:Canada Energy Regulator, Commodity Tracking System data
Note: Refined petroleum products includes non-confidential categories only, such as motor gasoline, middle distillate, and heavy fuel oil. Recent and historical trade statistics are available from the Commodity Tracking System (crude oil, natural gas, and electricity) and the volume and price queries (natural gas liquids).
Visit the CER Energy Conversion Tables for unit conversions.
- Date modified: