Canadian manufacturing sales hit 17-month high in October: StatsCan

Manufacturing sales increased one per cent in October to $50.1 billion, hitting their highest level since May 2012, according to Statistics Canada’s Monthly Survey of Manufacturing for October 2013.

The agency said the October increase was mostly due to higher sales in the food industry.

Sales were up in 13 of 21 industries, representing 49 per cent of the manufacturing sector.

Non-durable goods sales advanced 2.6 per cent, while durable goods sales declined 0.5 per cent.

Food industry sales rose 6.9 per cent to $7.7 billion, while sales in the transportation equipment industry fell 1.7 per cent to $8.8 billion, partly offsetting the overall gain in total manufacturing sales.

Sales were up in seven provinces in October, with Quebec leading the way. Lower sales in Ontario, however, offset a portion of the gains in October. The province’s manufacturing sales edged down 0.4 per cent to $22.5 billion. The decrease was largely the result of a 31.9 per cent decline in the aerospace product and parts industry, along with decreases in the petroleum and coal product, and motor vehicle industries, Statistics Canada said.

www.statcan.gc.ca