Drop in petro products drives manufacturing sales down in June: StatsCan

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says a 10.6 per cent drop in sales of petroleum and coal products pushed down overall manufacturing sales to $48.9 billion in June, 0.4 per cent lower than in the previous month.

The agency says a number of factors contributed to the decline in petroleum and coal products, including a price drop, refinery shutdowns and lower volumes at other refineries.

But StatsCan reports that 12 of 21 industries actually reported higher sales in June.

Transportation equipment sales increased to their highest level since November 2007, rising 1.7 per cent to $9.2 billion.

Motor vehicle sales also edged up, and compared to June 2011 increased 40.2 per cent as the industry recovered from the supply chain disruptions related to tsunami that year.

Sales were down in six provinces in June, with the largest declines posted in Alberta and New Brunswick.

Inventories also fell in June by 1.7 per cent to $64.8 billion, while unfilled orders rose 2.2 per cent to $64.3 billion.