Canada’s factory sales declined 0.9% in July from June due to slumping metal, petroleum, and
coal products, according to data from Statistics Canada.
July marked the third consecutive month that factory sales in Canada have declined.
The largest drop occurred in the primary metals industry, which posted its biggest decline on
record due to lower prices and a sharp fall in sales volumes.
Disruptions at several primary metal manufacturers, as well as concerns over a possible
slowdown in the economy, impacted the industry, said Statistics Canada.
Sales of petroleum and coal products decreased 5.3% in July from June because of lower
prices.
Those declines were partially offset by increases in food manufacturing sales, which rose 2.5%
to $11.8 billion in the month, the highest level on record.
