Manufacturing sales down in October after three straight increases: StatsCan

Manufacturing sales fell 0.8 percent in October to $48.7 billion after three straight monthly increases.

Despite the decline, Statistics Canada reports October’s sales were the second highest of any month in 2011, surpassed only by September.

The agency blames the drop mainly on lower sales in the petroleum- and coal-product industries, as well as aerospace products and parts.

StatsCan says the declines were partially offset by advances in vehicle parts, computer and electronic products, and wood products.

Constant-dollar manufacturing sales were down 0.9 percent, their first decline after three months of advances.

Lower sales were reported in 13 of 21 industries, representing about two-thirds of Canadian manufacturing.

The reduction in sales largely came from non-durable goods manufacturers, whose sales fell 1.8 percent in October, while durable goods sales rose 0.2 percent.

Sales of petroleum and coal products fell 4.3 percent to $7.3 billion – still the industry’s second strongest in 2011.

Aerospace product and part manufacturers reported a 9.7 percent drop in production to $1.3 billion in October. Sales declines also occurred in food (down 1.1 percent) and paper (down 3.6 percent).

Vehicle parts were up 6.2 percent, computer and electronic products rose 6.3 percent and the wood products increased 5.2 percent.

Seven provinces posted lower manufacturing sales in October, with the largest dollar decreases coming in Alberta, New Brunswick and British Columbia.