(OTTAWA) Canada’s manufacturing sales rose 1.2% to $72.9 billion in May after slipping 0.1% in April, Statistics Canada reported on Friday.
Chemical products sales rose 4.8% in May to $5.9 billion, driven by stronger sales of pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals in Alberta and higher sales of pharmaceutical and medical services in Ontario, the federal agency said.
In the auto sector, semiconductor chip supply continued to improve and sales rose 4.8% to 4.9 billion in May after falling 3.6% in April.
Meanwhile, sales in the primary metal fabrication sub-sector fell 6.9% to $5.2 billion.
Statistics Canada pointed out that weaker demand has led to a drop in manufacturing activity around the world, particularly in China, resulting in lower sales in the non-metallic manufacturing and processing industries. iron, except aluminum.
In constant US dollars, total manufacturing sales rose 2.2% in May, indicating a stronger volume of goods.
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