OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says the countrys overall trade deficit shrank to $826-million in September, down from $1.5-billion in August.

The federal agency says merchandise exports rose 1.9 per cent to $38-billion in September, led by energy products.

Meanwhile, imports held steady at $38.8-billion, with higher volumes offsetting lower prices.

Exports to the United States grew 1.3 per cent to $27.8-billion on higher exports of aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts, while imports from America edged up 0.5 per cent to $24.3-billion.

The trade surplus with the U.S. rose to $3.5-billion in September from $3.2-billion in August.

Exports to countries other than the U.S. increased 3.6 per cent to $10.2-billion, while imports slipped 0.8 per cent to $14.5-billion, meaning the trade deficit with those countries narrowed to $4.3-billion in September from $4.8-billion in August.