Canada Wholesale Sales Falls in August

2026-10-15 12:50 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

Canada’s wholesale sales fell 1.6% month-over-month to C$91.6 billion in August 2026, slightly exceeding expectations for a 1.5% decline and marking the first decrease since January.

Sales fell in five of the seven subsectors surveyed.

Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories sales dropped 3.8% to C$15.1 billion, with all three industry groups reporting declines, led by a 4.6% fall in motor vehicle sales.

Agricultural supplies recorded the second-largest decrease, with sales plunging 12.4% to C$3.5 billion, partly reflecting lower potash sales.

The decline was partly offset by a 1.4% increase in building material and supplies sales to C$14.1 billion, driven by a 3.3% rise in lumber, millwork, hardware and other building supplies.

Wholesale sales fell in six provinces, led by Ontario (-1.6%) and Saskatchewan (-8.2%).

Despite the monthly decline, sales were up 7.2% year-over-year.



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Canada Wholesale Sales Falls in August
Canada’s wholesale sales fell 1.6% month-over-month to C$91.6 billion in August 2026, slightly exceeding expectations for a 1.5% decline and marking the first decrease since January. Sales fell in five of the seven subsectors surveyed. Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories sales dropped 3.8% to C$15.1 billion, with all three industry groups reporting declines, led by a 4.6% fall in motor vehicle sales. Agricultural supplies recorded the second-largest decrease, with sales plunging 12.4% to C$3.5 billion, partly reflecting lower potash sales. The decline was partly offset by a 1.4% increase in building material and supplies sales to C$14.1 billion, driven by a 3.3% rise in lumber, millwork, hardware and other building supplies. Wholesale sales fell in six provinces, led by Ontario (-1.6%) and Saskatchewan (-8.2%). Despite the monthly decline, sales were up 7.2% year-over-year.
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Canada Wholesale Trade Expected to Decline in August
Canada’s wholesale trade, excluding petroleum, petroleum products and other hydrocarbons, as well as oilseed and grain, is estimated to have decreased 1.5% month-over-month in August 2026, following a 0.3% increase in July. Advance estimates indicate that the decline mainly reflected lower sales in the agricultural supplies industry group within the miscellaneous subsector, as well as in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector.
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