Canadian Wholesale Sales Expected to Rebound in September

Canada’s wholesale trade is estimated to have increased by 0.5% month-on-month in September 2026, rebounding from a 1.6% decline in August. The recovery was mainly driven by higher sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, as well as in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector.

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.

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.