Manufacturing sales cooled across much of Canada in August compared to the previous month but still remain considerably ahead in year to year comparisons. PHOTO courtesy Stellantis
Manufacturing sales declined in seven provinces in August, led by Quebec and followed by Alberta and New Brunswick, data from Statistics Canada’s Monthly Survey of Manufacturing indicate. Meanwhile, sales in Manitoba increased the most.
In Quebec, manufacturing sales were down 5.5% to $16.7 billion in August, the second consecutive monthly decrease. Lower sales of primary metals (-7.8%), fabricated metal products (-12.1%) and wood products (-10.1%) were the main contributors to the decline. On a year-over-year basis, however, total sales were up 6.7% in August.
In Alberta, sales declined 3.1% to $8.8 billion in August, mainly on lower sales of the petroleum and coal products (-6.5%) and chemical (-5.9%) industries. The decrease was partly offset by higher sales in the food industry (+5.7%). Despite the decline, total sales were up 23.3% in August compared with the same month a year earlier.
Sales in New Brunswick decreased 5.7% to $2.3 billion in August, mainly on lower sales of non-durable goods (-5.9%). On a year-over-year basis, total sales in New Brunswick rose 33.3% in August.
Following a 6.2% decline in July, sales in Manitoba increased 1.8% to $2.1 billion in August, mostly attributable to higher sales in the chemical (+14.5%) and machinery (+5.2%) industries.
Manufacturing sales fell in 7 of 15 selected census metropolitan areas in August, led by Windsor and Edmonton, while sales in Toronto increased the most.
After a 36.6% increase in July, sales in Windsor fell 19.2% to $1.3 billion in August. The decline was mainly attributable to lower sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts industries as the ongoing shortage of microchips continued to impact auto makers.
Sales in Edmonton decreased 4.2% to $4.6 billion in August, almost entirely on lower sales of petroleum and coal products (-6.9%). Year over year, sales in Edmonton increased 46.2%.
Following a 1.2% decline in July, sales in Toronto increased 1.6% to $12.0 billion in August, mainly on higher sales of motor vehicles (+7.4%) and beverage and tobacco (+36.9%) industries. On a year-over-year basis, sales in Toronto increased 14.1%.
