Canadian manufacturing sales rose 1.1% to a record high $54.4 billion in April

Manufacturing sales rose 1.1% to a record high $54.4 billion in April, mainly due to higher sales in the petroleum and coal product, and primary metal industries.

Sales were up in 13 of the 21 industries, representing 62% of Canadian manufacturing sales.

Once the effects of price changes are taken into consideration, manufacturing sales volumes rose 0.5% in April.

Sales in the petroleum and coal products industry rose 8.9% to $5.4 billion in April, following two months of declines. The increase reflected higher volumes and prices for petroleum and coal products. After removing the effect of price changes, sales in volume terms increased 7.8% in April.

Sales in the primary metal industry rose 3.8% to $4.2 billion, the third increase in four months. The increase in April partly reflected higher volumes and prices of primary metal products. In constant dollars, sales in the primary industry were up 2.5%, indicating higher volumes of products were sold.

Sales also increased in the paper (+3.5%), food (+0.5%) and machinery (+1.5%) industries. These gains were widespread and reflected higher volumes in these industries.