Manufacturing sales up 2.6 percent at $63.1 billion in November 2021, as per Statistics Canada

Manufacturing sales rose 2.6 percent to $63.1 billion in November, even as flooding in B.C. caused disruptions at more than a quarter of factories across Canada, Statistics Canada said Monday.

The agency said the overall gain in sales was the second consecutive month of growth as sales rose in 18 of the 21 industries it tracks.

“The solid advance in sales during November came despite the impact of flooding in B.C.,” said Andrew Grantham, senior economist at CIBC Capital Markets.

Flooding in November in British Columbia disrupted supply chains in Western Canada as it closed highways and damaged the rail links from Vancouver.

Statistics Canada said that 28.1 percent of manufacturing plants were affected across the country in November, mainly through disruptions in transportation and shortages of raw materials.

“Delays in shipments of products or raw materials, increased logistics costs, and limited access to sites were frequently mentioned by respondents,” Statistics Canada said.

It estimated the lost sales due to the floods totalled $372.1 million for the month.

Overall, sales of primary metal products rose 5.8 percent to a record $5.8 billion in November, while sales for the petroleum and coal industry climbed 3.7 percent to $7.2 billion, also a record.

Sales of the non-metallic mineral products industry also rose 10.4 percent to $1.5 billion in November, while sales of motor vehicles rose 2.6 percent to $3.2 billion and motor vehicle part sales climbed 5.1 percent to $2.4 billion.

Sales in constant dollars rose 1.9 percent in November, indicating a higher volume of goods sold.