Manufacturing sales lowest in four years

OTTAWA — Manufacturing sales in Canada decreased for a fourth consecutive month in November, falling 6.4 percent to $48.4 billion, the lowest level since December 2004.

Constant dollar manufacturing sales, which are measured in 2002 prices, fell to their lowest level in almost 10 years, reports Stats Canada.

The most significant price decreases were in the petroleum, which has fallen for five consecutive months, and coal industry (-18.5%) and primary metal industry, down 17.4 percent.

Sales in November were at the lowest level since March 2006, as both falling prices and deteriorating global demand negatively influenced the value of sales.

 Transportation equipment industry decreased 3.9 percent as aerospace products and parts production pulled back 22.5 percent, after a 27.2 percent gain in October.

At the industry level, sales in 12 of 21 manufacturing industries decreased in November, accounting for over four-fifths of total sales.

Every province reported decreased manufacturing sales, ranging from a 0.3 percent decline in Saskatchewan to a 31.5 percent drop in New Brunswick.

Manufacturing sales fell by 7.6 percent in Quebec, erasing the 3.6 percent rise in October, while Ontario’s manufacturing fell another 3.9 percent, the fourth consecutive monthly decrease.

The decline in Alberta steepened as well, with sales down 8.8 percent. The chemical product industry (-31.7%) was the leading cause of decreased provincial sales.