StatCan reports February wholesale trade figures up 0.3%

Statistics Canada says wholesale trade, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.3% to $85.7 billion in February.

The overall increase in sales came as just two of the seven subsectors posted gains.

The statistical agency says sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector gained 7.1% for the month to $19 billion, while the food, beverage and tobacco subsector rose 0.5% to $15.5 billion.

The motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector posted the largest decrease as it fell 3.1% to $14.3 billion.

In volume terms, wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, increased 0.2% in February.

StatCan has started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade, but is excluding the data from its monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is a national news agency headquartered in Toronto and founded in 1917.