Canada Wholesale Sales Fall More Than Initially Thought

Canada’s wholesale trade fell by 1% month-on-month to C$85.2 billion in January 2026, more than the initially reported 0.6% decrease, following a revised 1.8% gain in December. This mainly reflected lower sales by companies in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector (-3.9%), as well as the mineral, ore and precious metals industry group (-38.3%). Partially offsetting these declines was a 1.6% increase in sales in the food, beverage and tobacco subsector. In January, six provinces reported lower wholesale sales, led by Ontario (-1.7%) and Quebec (-0.9%). Conversely, British Columbia saw an increase of 0.9%.

Canada’s wholesale trade rose by 2% month-on-month to C$86.1 billion in December 2025, following a 1.8% drop in the prior month, though slightly below the preliminary estimate of a 2.1% advance. Sales rose in four of seven subsectors, led by the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector (9.3%). Excluding the automotive subsector, wholesale sales rose 0.6%. Notably, miscellaneous wholesalers saw sales rise 6.8%, led by the mineral, ore, and precious metal industry group, which jumped 85.6% to $1.5 billion, marking a record high. Meanwhile, sales declined 3.4% in the food, beverage and tobacco subsector. In December, five provinces reported higher wholesale sales, led by Ontario (3.6%) and Quebec (3.7%). In 2025, wholesale sales reached C$1.024 trillion, representing a 2.9% increase over 2024.

Canada’s wholesale trade is expected to rise 2.1% month-over-month in December 2025, according to advance estimates. The increase is mainly driven by higher sales in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector.