Statistics Canada reports that, after five consecutive monthly increases, total manufacturing sales were down 0.4% to $78.7 billion in July.

Sales fell in 8 of the 21 subsectors, led by the chemical (-6.6%) and food (-1.4%) subsectors. The declines were partially offset by a 1.9% increase in petroleum and coal product sales. Despite the overall monthly decline, total manufacturing sales were 10.9% higher on a year-over-year basis.

Sales declined in six provinces in July, led by Alberta and followed by Manitoba.

Sales in Alberta declined 2.7% to $10.4 billion in July, following four consecutive monthly increases. Sales were down in 9 of the 21 subsectors, led by the chemical (-14.1%) and petroleum and coal (-4.0%) subsectors. Meanwhile, sales of machinery manufacturing (+8.5%) increased the most.

In Manitoba, manufacturing sales were down 7.7% to $2.4 billion in July, mainly due to lower sales of chemicals and food products. While lower sales of pharmaceutical and medicinal products were responsible for the decline in chemical product sales, the decrease in the food subsector was driven by lower sales in grain and oilseed milling.

 

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