Analysts had expected the trade surplus to be $4.5 billion, down from $4.8 billion in February, which was revised from the previously reported $4.9 billion.

Exports rose $639 million from the month prior to $40.1 billion in March while imports were down $104 million at $34.5 billion.

Energy exports jumped 6.6% from the prior month to $10.6 billion in March, surpassing the $10 billion mark for the first time ever as prices continued to increase. Energy exports are now up 36.9% from a year earlier.

Automotive product exports fell 4.9% in March to under $5.3 billion, with the trucks and other motor vehicle category plunging 29.9% to its lowest level in almost two decades.

Exports in the 'other consumer goods' category increased 13.4% month-over-month to $1.5 billion, mainly as the result of increased sales of pharmaceuticals. The category also includes household products, clothing and footwear and toys and sporting goods.

Exports to the U.S. climbed for the third straight month, hitting $30.3 billion in March, while imports from the U.S. declined 0.6% to $21.7 billion. The resulting $8.6 billion surplus was the largest since April 2006.

Meanwhile, the trade deficit with countries other than the U.S. fell for the third straight month, coming in at $3.1 billion as exports (+4.5%) rose faster than imports (+0.1%).

Total imports slipped 0.3% in March from the month before with declines in every sector except energy, which rose 17.6% month-over-month to $4.3 billion. Energy imports were up 38.5% on an annual basis. Crude imports rose 8.5% on a monthly basis as both volume and prices increased.

Imports of automotive products took their biggest monthly tumble since August 2003, falling 11.4% to $5.6 billion.

Exports for the first three months of the year totalled $117.5 billion, the second highest level on record, while imports totalled $104.3 billion, producing a year-to-date merchandise trade surplus of $13.2 billion.

Despite the widening of the trade surplus in March, the differential is still a long way from its one-month record of $8.6 billion set in January 2001.

By Geoff Matthews, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , edited by Nancy Girgis, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it