Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 10.7% in May
May's sales were 28.4% below their pre-pandemic level in February
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose in May after posting a record plunge in April, but remained well below their pre-pandemic level.
The agency says manufacturing sales rose 10.7% to $40.2 billion in May from a month earlier as many factories resumed production after full or partial shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, May’s sales were 28.4% below their pre-pandemic level in February.
Economists on average expected an increase of 9.5% for May, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.
Sales were up in 18 of 21 industries, led by the motor vehicle, motor vehicle parts and petroleum and coal products industries.
In volumes terms, manufacturing sales rose 8.8%.
