Statistics Canada announced that, following a 1.1% increase in July, total manufacturing sales decreased 1.3% to $69.4 billion in August, the lowest level since January 2022, mainly on lower sales in the primary metal (-6.4%) and petroleum and coal product (-3.7%) subsectors.

Meanwhile, production of aerospace products and parts (+7.3%) and sales of wood products (+3.8%) increased the most. With the decrease in August, monthly sales were down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis.

The Federal Agency notes that manufacturing sales declined in eight provinces in August, led by Alberta (-3.3%) and Ontario (-0.6%). Sales in Prince Edward Island increased the most (+2.3%).

Sales in Alberta decreased 3.3% to $8.3 billion in August, largely on lower sales of food (-7.1%) and petroleum and coal (-3.5%) products.

In Ontario, sales decreased 0.6% to $30.0 billion in August, the third consecutive monthly decline and the lowest level since January 2022. The decline was mainly driven by lower sales of motor vehicles (-2.4%) as well as petroleum and coal products (-2.8%).

Sales in Prince Edward Island increased 2.3% to $297 million in August, mainly on higher sales of non-durable goods (+3.8%).

 

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