October wholesale trade hits record: Statistics Canada

Farm, agricultural supply, motor vehicle sectors saw gains

OTTAWA (Reuters) — Canadian wholesale trade in dollar terms edged up 0.1 per cent in October from September as expected to a record high, but volumes declined by the same percentage, according to Statistics Canada data released on Wednesday.

Wholesale trade rose to $54.16 billion from $54.10 billion in September. The amounts are adjusted for seasonal factors but not for inflation.

The farm sector was involved in much of the gains: farm product sales rose 13.5 per cent, while agricultural supply sales were up 5.8 per cent. Motor vehicle, building supply and machinery sales were also up, but food and personal and household goods fell.

Inventories rose for the third consecutive month, by 1.2 per cent, and the ratio of inventory to sales bumped up to 1.26 from 1.25 in September.

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