Manufacturing sales up 4.2 per cent in April, Statscan says

Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 4.2 per cent to $77.1-billion in April, as the petroleum and coal product group hit a record high.

Petroleum and coal product sales jumped 22.6 per cent to $11.8-billion, following a 25.5 per cent increase in March, helped by higher volumes as several refineries ramped up production after maintenance shutdowns.

Total manufacturing sales in constant dollars rose 1.8 per cent in April.

In a separate report, Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.6 per cent to $89.3-billion in April. 

The building material and supplies subsector was up 4.3 per cent at $12.7-billion, while the mineral, ore and precious metal industry group rose 15.7 per cent to $1-billion. 

In volume terms, wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, fell 0.3 per cent in April.