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November 21, 2017WHOLESALE TRADE, SEPTEMBER 2017
In Nova Scotia September 2017, the seasonally adjusted index of growth (2011=100) declined 1.6 points to 121.7. Since January 2017, growth in wholesale trade has been highly volatile: starting at 131.7 in January, declining to a low of 122.9 in February, increasing sharply to a new high of 141.8 in May, only to decline sharply to 121.7 in September.
In Nova Scotia September 2017, on a seasonally adjusted basis month-over-month wholesale sales decreased 1.3 per cent to $794 million. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale sales were 3.9 per cent higher than September 2016. On a year-to-date basis (Jan-Sep total) wholesale sales were 8.2% higher than the same period last year.
In Canada September 2017, on a seasonally adjusted basis the wholesale index of growth (2011=100) decreased 1.6 points to 132.1. On a month-over-month basis, wholesale sales decreased 1.2 per cent to $62.0 billion. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale sales were 9.9 per cent higher over September 2016. On a year-to-date basis (jan-Sep totals) wholesale sales were 9.3% higher than the same period last year.
In Canada September 2017, sales were down in five of seven industries:
- Machinery and equipment subsector were down 2.1% to $12.0 billion.
- Personal and household goods sales were down 4.8% to $8.6 billion.
- Food and beverage were down 2.2% to $11.7 billion.
- Miscellaneous subsector decreased 1.8% to $8.0 billion.
- Farm product was down 1.9% to $790 million.
- Building materials and supplies wereup 2.6% to $8.9 billion.
- Motor vehicle and parts increased 1.4% to $12.0 billion
By Province
In month-over-month seasonally adjusted wholesale sales, Nova Scotia (-1.3%) ranked 5th. Alberta led the way with sales increasing 0.6%. Two of ten provinces reported positive growth. Sales were down in eight provinces.
On a year-over-year basis, Nova Scotia (+1.2%) ranked 9th. Alberta led the way with growth in sales increasing 14.3% over September 2016. British Columbia (+13.1%), and Quebec (+11.1%) also recorded double digit growth over the same period last year. The other seven provinces reported single digit, positive growth in the 0.7% to 9.3% range.
On a year-to-date basis, Nova Scotia (+8.2%) ranked 6th. Prince Edward Island recorded the highest sales growth at 11.8% and British Columbia (+11.6%) also reported double-digit growth. All ten provinces recorded positive growth. Eight provinces reported single digit growth in the range of 5.4% to 9.8%. Canada recorded a solid 9.3% growth in wholesale trade.
Nova Scotia Sectors
Statistics Canada now releases seasonally adjusted wholesale trade data by sector at the provincial level. As there has been significant volatility in recent wholesale values for Nova Scotia. Year-to-date comparisons are more indicative of economic conditions for volatile indicators and seasonally adjusted wholesale values will also smooth out the indicator.
Year-to-date wholesale sales by sector in Nova Scotia increased by $570 million, or by 8.2 per cent compared to Jan-Sep 2016. The dollar increase was largely accounted for by four subsectors: Food, beverage and tobacco wholesalers (+$338 million); building material and supplies wholesalers (+$178 million), Machinery/equipment ($111 million), and Motor vehicle and parts ($84 million). One subsector had a decline: miscellaneous wholesalers declined $96 million.
Statistics Canada: CANSIM table 081-0011
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