Canadian manufacturing sales up in November

Manufacturing sales increased one per cent in November to $50.5 billion, the sixth advance in seven months, according to Statistics Canada’s Monthly Survey of Manufacturing for November 2013.

With the latest rise, sales were at their highest level since December 2011, thanks in large part to gains in the transportation equipment and machinery industries. Sales in the transportation equipment industry were up 6.1 per cent to $9.5 billion, mostly as a result of gains in the aerospace product and parts, as well as the motor vehicle industries.

Sales advanced in 11 of 21 industries, representing about 58 per cent of manufacturing, Statistics Canada said. For durable goods, sales rose 2.9 per cent to $25.6 billion; however, sales declined 0.9 per cent on the non-durable goods side of manufacturing.

Constant dollar manufacturing sales increased 0.7 per cent in November, indicating a rise in the volume of goods sold.

In the machinery industry, sales increased 5.4 per cent to $3 billion, the fourth gain in 11 months.

Declines in the food and chemical industries offset a portion of these increases, with sales down 1.5 per cent to $7.5 billion, and 2.3 per cent to $3.9 billion, respectively.

In November, seven provinces posted higher sales, with Ontario leading the way. Sales in Ontario increased 2.2 per cent to $23 billion in November, largely as a result of gains in the transportation equipment industry. In Newfoundland and Labrador, sales rose 33.1 per cent to $559 million in November, while sales in British Columbia’s manufacturing sector rose 2.7 per cent to $3.5 billion, the fifth consecutive monthly advance.

The overall advance in national sales was partly offset by declines in New Brunswick and Quebec. New Brunswick manufacturing sales fell 8.9 per cent to $1.8 billion in November, reflecting lower sales of non-durable goods. Sales by Quebec manufacturers were down 1.2 per cent to $11.6 billion, reflecting decreases in 15 of 21 industries.

For more information, visit www.statcan.gc.ca.