Record exports of commodities are moving to new and growing overseas markets this year as the Port of Vancouver helps move more of what Canadians make, mine, harvest and grow to more customers.

Overall cargo volumes for the Port of Vancouver hit a record 88.1 million metric tonnes (MMT) for the first six months of 2026, up 3% compared to the same period for 2025. This growth was largely due to the port delivering record volumes of Prairie grain and Alberta crude oil to Indo-Pacific markets, while exports of other key commodities like fertilizer and coal, as well as two-way container trade, remained largely steady. Vehicle imports and cruise operations at the port are also robust, with both setting new half-year records.

Exports of bulk commodities fuelled the Port of Vancouver's strong half-year cargo volumes, as crude oil from Alberta and grain grown across Western Canada both hit new records.

Crude oil exports were up 3% to a new mid-year record of 12 MMT and bulk grain exports soared 14% to a new record of 17.4 MMT, led by strong growth in exports of canola seed, specialty crops and barley as the port helped deliver a bumper Prairies crop to world markets.

Containerized cargo volumes moving through the Port of Vancouver reached 1.90 million TEU in the first six months of 2026�driven by a 4% increase in exports and 2% increase in imports.

Overall volumes handled by the port's four container terminals were 1% higher than the first half of 2025 and 2% below the previous half-yearly record (1.94 million TEU in 2021), as increases in containerized exports and imports were offset by a drop in empty container movements.

Source: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

 

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