Canadian wholesale sales edged down 0.1% to $49.9 billion in June, after four consecutive monthly increases, according to Statistics Canada. In volume terms, wholesale sales were down 0.5%.
Numbers were skewed by a decline in the miscellaneous subsector, down 6.4% in June. Although four of the five industries in the subsector posted declines, the agricultural supplies industry (-20.5%) was by far the largest contributor to the change.
Excluding the miscellaneous subsector, wholesale sales rose 0.9%.
The largest advance in dollar terms was in the motor vehicle and parts subsector (+2.2%). This fifth consecutive increase was attributable to higher sales in the motor vehicle industry (+3.4%).
Sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector rose by 1.3% in June, a third consecutive gain.
The food, beverage and tobacco subsector continued the upward trend that began at the end of 2009. Sales were up 0.3% in June, following a 1.3% advance in May.
Ontario, which accounts for about 50% of total wholesale sales, reported sales growth of 1.2% in June, the fifth increase since the beginning of 2012. The June advance was mainly a result of higher sales in the motor vehicle industry.
Wholesale sales in B.C. were unchanged. Sales declined in Alberta (-3.0%), Saskatchewan (-2.0%) and Manitoba (-1.3%).
