14 of 21 industries representing 60% of manufacturing posted gains, despite slight total sales decrease
Manufacturing sales declined slightly by 0.1 per cent in April 2014 to $50.9 billion, the first decrease in months. Despite this decline, 14 of the 21 industries representing approximately 60 per cent of manufacturing posted gains. As well, constant dollar sales rose 0.4 per cent in April, representing an increase in the volume of goods sold.
Sales dropped 5.0 per cent in the petroleum and coal product industry, and 6.2 per cent in the aerospace product and parts industry. Despite the decline in the aerospace sector, total production in the first four months of 2014 was $6.2 billion, up 15.5 per cent from the same period in 2014.
The automotive industry fared a little better; sales climbed 3.3 per cent to $4.4 billion. In the automotive parts industry, sales rose 2.6 per cent to $2.2 billion, the eighth gain in nine months. As a result, sales in this industry reached their highest level since October 2007.
For more details, read the Statistics Canada report online.
