Statistics Canada announced that manufacturing sales fell for the second consecutive month, down 1.4% in March to $71.9 billion.

The Federal Agency notes that sales decreased in 13 of the 21 subsectors, led by the primary metal (-6.5%) and petroleum and coal product (-4.2%) subsectors. These declines were partly offset by an 11.9% increase in sales of furniture and related products. Year over year, total manufacturing sales were up 1.9% in March.

Following four consecutive monthly increases, sales of primary metals fell 6.5% to $5.9 billion in March. Sales of petroleum and coal products declined 4.2% to $7.8 billion. Furniture and related product sales rose 11.9% to $1.4 billion.

Manufacturing sales declined in eight provinces in March, with Ontario and Quebec experiencing the largest decreases. These decreases were partially offset by a gain in Manitoba.

In Ontario, sales declined 1.0% to $31.8 billion, driven by lower sales of chemical products (-7.3%) and primary metals (-6.0%). Sales in Quebec fell 1.6% to $18.7 billion. In Manitoba, sales increased 2.9% to $2.4 billion.

 

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