Manufacturing sales in British Columbia edged upward by 0.8% in August to $3.28 billion, according to Statistics Canada data released October 16.
This is the second consecutive monthly gain, after sales increased by 1.0% in July 2013.
Across Canada, manufacturing sales dipped 0.2% to $49.5 billion in August – the first decrease after three months of gains. The decline was driven by lower sales in the miscellaneous, food and motor vehicle assembly industries. These drops were partially offset by gains in the aerospace product and parts and primary metal industries.
Overall, sales fell in 11 of 21 industries across the country. These categories make up over 40% of total manufacturing sales.
Sales of non-durable goods fell by 0.7% to $24.6 billion, as sales of durable goods increased 0.4% to $24.9 billion.
Year-over-year, sales increased 0.3% across the country and dipped 0.3% in B.C.
The provinces with the greatest increases in August 2013 compared with August 2012 were:
- Prince Edward Island (up 13.2%);
- Alberta (up 8.0%); and
- Manitoba (up 3.5%).
New Brunswick saw the biggest decline year-over-year, with a decrease of 11.1%.
