Despite a rocky start to the year in the world of trade, Saskatchewan’s export numbers continue to rise.

CEO of the Saskatoon Region Economic Development Authority Erin Lawson says with all of the international uncertainty, it could have been assumed that we would see a dip, but that was not the case.

According to SREDA’s economic fall update, Saskatchewan exports were up 28 per cent in Q2 of 2026 compared to previous years.

“These are provincial numbers, but they do matter significantly to the Saskatoon region. These industries support our local manufacturers, suppliers, and service businesses, so the benefits reach beyond the exports themselves.”

However, the labour market is softening. Lawson says the working age population did grow by 3.3 per cent, employment increased 0.8 per cent, and unemployment reached 6.3 per cent.

“This means there is more competition for people looking for work. Employers may have more applicants, but finding the right skillsets has been a challenge, and we’ve heard that consistently amongst employers in the Saskatoon region.”

She notes that the situation differs based on industry. For example, the manufacturing and healthcare sectors continue to add workers and have had steady growth throughout the year.

Lawson adds that commercial construction grew modestly, but industrial construction fell 22 per cent. This is the fifth consecutive quarter that’s shown this year-over-year decline. She attributes this to the volatile nature of global relationships and trade, making it feel like a risky time for businesses to expand.

On the flip side, there has been a steady increase in government and institutional investment, at an increase of 74 per cent.

Overall, economic growth is projected at 1.2 per cent year-over-year in Q3, with improvement expected through 2027.