Canada Wholesale Trade Expected to Rise in February

Canada's wholesale trade is expected to rise 2.3% month-over-month in February 2026, according to advance estimates, following a 1.0% increase in January. This expansion would mark the highest gain since April 2024. The expected increase is partly driven by higher sales in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector.

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.