Latest News Stream - Wholesale Sales

Canada’s wholesale sales rose 0.7% month over month to C$92.5 billion in September 2026, beating estimates of a 0.5% increase and rebounding from a revised 1.4% drop in August. Sales grew in five of the seven surveyed subsectors. The largest gain came from machinery, equipment, and supplies, which rose 3.6%, driven by a 10% increase in computer and communications equipment sales. The motor vehicle and parts subsector posted the second-largest increase, rising 2.4%, with growth across all its industry groups, led by a 2.7% rise in motor vehicle sales. These gains were partly offset by a 2.9% decline in building materials and supplies. In Q3 2026, wholesale sales rose 1.5% quarter over quarter to C$277.5 billion.

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.

Wholesales sales in Canada, excluding petroleum and hydrocarbon products, rose by 0.3% from the previous month to C$93.1 billion in July of 2026. The result was revised higher from the flash estimate of a 0.6% decline, extending the 2.8% jump in June to reflect some resilience to higher energy costs from the Canadian manufacturing sector. Higher sales were observed from building materials and supplies subsector (3.5% to C$13.8 billion) and food, beverage, and tobacco producers (1.7% to C$16.67 billion). In turn, sales fell for farm products (-1.9% to C$1.8 billion) and personal and household goods (-1.5% to C$12.8 billion). Wholesalers raised prices in the period to support turnover, as volumes shrank by 0.6% from the previous month.

Canada’s wholesale trade is estimated to have decreased 0.6% month-over-month in July 2026, following a 2.8% increase in the previous month, marking the first decline since January. The advance results for July indicate lower sales in the agricultural supplies and mineral, ore and precious metals industry groups within the miscellaneous subsector.

Wholesale sales in Canada, excluding petroleum and hydrocarbon products, jumped by 2.8% from the previous month in June of 2026, revised marginally higher from the preliminary expectations of 2.7%, to mark the sharpest increase since May of 2023. Machinery sales surged 4.8% in the period to C$20.1 billion, driven by farm, lawn, and gardening machinery and equipment, which rose 25.9% to C$3.1 billion. Meanwhile, sales also rose sharply for food, beverage, and tobacco (2.8% to C$16.4 billion). Wholesale inventories, also excluding hydrocarbons, rose 1.2% to C$140.4 billion.

Canada's wholesale trade is estimated to have risen by 2.7% month-over-month in June 2026, the most since May 2023, according to advance estimates. The anticipated increase partly reflects higher sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector.

Wholesale sales in Canada were unchanged month-over-month at C$90.0 billion in May 2026, following an upwardly revised 1.4% increase in April, compared with the preliminary estimate of a 0.7% decline. Sales fell in four of the seven subsectors. The food, beverage, and tobacco subsector declined 1.5% to C$16.0 billion, driven by lower sales in the food industry group (-1.5%). The personal and household goods subsector also contracted, with sales down 0.6% to C$13.1 billion. Within the category, the pharmaceuticals industry posted the largest decline, falling 3.1%. The overall weakness was partly offset by a 14.2% increase in the non-agricultural chemical and allied products industry group, which lifted the miscellaneous subsector by 2.2%. Regionally, wholesale sales declined in eight provinces, led by Quebec (-1.8%) and British Columbia (-2.6%). Compared with a year earlier, wholesale sales were 7.4% higher in May.

Canada’s wholesale trade is estimated to have declined 0.7% month-over-month in May 2026, reversing a 0.6% increase in the previous month. The anticipated decrease partially reflects lower sales in machinery, equipment and supplies.

Wholesale sales in Canada expanded by 0.6% from the previous month to C$89.3 billion in April of 2026, revised higher from the preliminary estimate of a 0.1% growth rate, to reflect the third consecutive increase in the sector. The figure excludes wholesale sales of petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons, which surged 7.2% on the period due to the higher prices for fuel as the continuation of the war in the Middle East shut off energy exports from the region. Sales were firmly higher for building materials and supplies (4.3% to C$12.7 billion), miscellaneous goods (1.4% to C$11.5 billion), motor vehicles and parts (0.9% to C$14.7 billion), and personal and household goods (0.5% to C$13.2 billion). In turn, sales fell for food and beverage (-1.4% to C$16.2 billion) and machinery and equipment (-1.2% to $19.3 billion).

Canada’s wholesale trade is estimated to have edged up 0.1% month-over-month in April 2026, following a 1.9% increase in the previous month. The anticipated gain partly reflected stronger sales in the building material and supplies subsector.

Canada’s wholesale trade rose 1.9% month-over-month to C$89.0 billion in March 2026, above forecasts of a 1.3% increase and following a 2.0% gain in February. Sales increased in five of the seven subsectors. The machinery, equipment and supplies subsector led gains, rising 6.5% to C$19.5 billion, driven by a 17.9% jump in computer and communications equipment and supplies. The personal and household goods subsector also contributed positively, with sales up 0.8% to C$13.3 billion, supported by higher pharmaceutical and pharmacy supply sales (1.0%). In contrast, the farm products excluding oilseed and grain subsector fell 3.8% to C$1.7 billion. Regionally, six provinces posted higher wholesale sales, led by Ontario (3.5%) and Alberta (3.2%). Compared with a year earlier, wholesale trade increased 3.3% in March.

Canada's wholesale trade is estimated to have risen by 1.3% month-over-month in March 2026, following a 2% advance in February, according to advance estimates. The anticipated increase partly reflects higher sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector.

Canada’s wholesale trade rose by 2% month-on-month to C$86.8 billion in February 2026, slightly below the initially reported 2.3% gain and following a revised 1.1% decline in January. Sales increased in five of the seven subsectors, led by the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector (+6.1% to $14.4 billion) and the food, beverage and tobacco subsector (+2.9% to $16.5 billion). Additionally, sales of personal and household goods rose 2.5% to their highest level on record of $13.2 billion. On the other hand, the miscellaneous subsector fell 0.6% to $10.9 billion, led by a 19.4% decrease in the mineral, ore and precious metal industry group to $733.4 million. Seven provinces recorded higher sales, led by Ontario (2.8%) and Quebec (3.3%). On a yearly basis, wholesale sales grew 1.2% 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.

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.

Canada’s wholesale trade fell 1.8% month-on-month to C$84.4 billion in November 2025, following an upwardly revised 0.4% increase in October and way below expectations for a 0.1% expansion. Sales fell in four of seven subsectors, representing roughly 44.5% of total wholesale activity. Motor vehicles and parts declined 11.5% to C$12.9 billion, while food, beverage and tobacco wholesalers posted a 3.1% jump to C$16.3 billion. Offsetting these changes, building material and supplies wholesalers recorded a notable decline. Ontario led provincial performance with a 3.9% fall to C$42.5 billion; excluding Ontario, national wholesale sales rose 0.1%. Wholesale inventories rose 0.6% to C$136.0 billion.