ottawa july 6 reuters  canada recorded a surprise trade deficit in may as energy and grains dragged down exports while unwrought precious metals as well as motor vehicles contributed to a surge in imports statistics canada data showed on thursday the countrys trade deficit with the world came in at c344 billion 259 billion the largest since october 2020 after a downwardly revised c894 million surplus in april analysts had forecast a surplus of c115 billion total imports increased 3 in may capping three consecutive months of decline helped by metal and nonmetallic mineral products  largely unwrought gold silver and platinum group metals and their allows motor vehicles and parts imports also contributed to the gain rising 45 in may to reach a recordhigh c113 billion higher imports of engines and parts reflected better supply chain conditions for canadian automakers in 2023 statscan said by volume imports rose 35 total exports decreased 38 during the same period largely due to cheaper energy products as well as wheat and canola by volume exports declined 25 demand for canadian grains has slowed in recent months amid improving global supplies especially for wheat and canola statscan said this resulted in lower prices providing an incentive for canadian producers to wait for better market conditions 1  13277 canadian dollars