Statistics Canada says the country's merchandise trade surplus amounted to $1.1 billion in September as growth exports outpaced a rise in imports.

The result came as the agency revised its reading for August to show a surplus of $550 million compared with its initial report of a $1.5-billion surplus.

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Total exports for September rose 1.3 per cent to $66.4 billion.

Exports of farm, fishing and intermediate food products gained 16.7 per cent as exports of wheat soared 65.2 per cent in September. Exports of energy products rose 1.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, imports rose 0.4 per cent in September to $65.2 billion as a 22.7 per cent increase in pharmaceutical products helped lift imports of consumer goods 3.7 per cent.

In volume terms, total exports rose 1.7 per cent in September, while imports fell 0.8 per cent.