Canada's manufacturing sales fall 0.9% in July for 3rd straight month

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Canada's manufacturing sales fell 0.9% in July for the third consecutive month, according to figures released Wednesday by Statistics Canada.

The figure was in line with market expectations while manufacturing sales declined 0.1% in June.

The decline in July was led by the furniture industry which saw an 11.2% fall, followed by primary metal with 9.9%, and petroleum and coal products with 5.3%.

"The primary metal industry posted its largest decline on record, decreasing 9.9% to $5.6 billion in July, on lower prices and volumes sold," Statistics Canada said in a statement. "Following a 6.0% decline in June, sales of petroleum and coal products decreased 5.3% to $10.3 billion in July, on lower prices.”

They were offset by a 10.7% increase in motor vehicle parts with 10.7%, followed by paper products at 8.1%, and food with 2.5%.

While manufacturing sales declined in five of 10 provinces in Canada during July, sales in Quebec and Alberta fell the most, but New Brunswick posted the largest increase.