Manufacturing sales keep advancing

OTTAWA — Food and motor vehicle manufacturers led all businesses in March contributing to an overall 1.2 percent increase to $44.5 billion.

Manufacturing sales have been trending upward since the low point reached in May 2009, according to Stats Canada.
Sales gains were reported in 12 of 21 industries, representing two-thirds of total sales.

Food manufacturers reported the greatest increase in sales, up 3.5 percent compared to February. This was the largest increase in food sales since January 2008.

Besides that, most of the remaining sales were attributable to the durable goods industries such as vehicle manufacturers (plus 3.6%). However, the gain in motor vehicle manufacturing was largely offset by a 9.6 percent decrease in aerospace products and parts production.

Other durable good sales increases included non-metallic mineral products (+7.7%) and wood product manufacturing (+4.9%).
Sales in the Atlantic provinces rose the most, 6.4 percent overall, with Newfoundland posting a 45 percent increase in that province.
Inventory levels, meanwhile, fell 1.1 percent in March from the previous month.