- Prior was +2.0% (revised to +2.4%)
Wholesale sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain) rose 1.9% to $89.0 billion in March. Sales increased in five of the seven subsectors, representing 79.6% of total wholesale sales.
The largest increase came from the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector. Wholesale sales were 3.3% higher in March than in the same month one year earlier. In volume terms, wholesale sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain) increased 1.7% in March.
Wholesale sales were 1.8% higher in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2025.
Canada’s wholesale trade data primarily measures the monthly sales and inventory levels of businesses that act as intermediaries between manufacturers and retailers or other commercial and institutional clients. Collected by Statistics Canada through the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (MWTS), this data is a key indicator of the health and performance of the Canadian economy.
The sales metric tracks the total value of goods sold by wholesalers, reflecting the volume of domestic and international demand for products before they reach the consumer market. These sales are categorized by various subsectors, such as motor vehicles and parts, building materials, food and beverages, and personal and household goods. This breakdown allows economists to identify which industries are driving growth or experiencing declines.
The inventory metric measures the value of goods owned by wholesalers and intended for resale at the end of the month. Monitoring inventory levels helps determine whether businesses are stockpiling goods in anticipation of higher demand or if products are sitting on shelves due to a slowdown in sales. This relationship between sales and inventories, known as the inventory-to-sales ratio, is used to predict future production trends and potential shifts in the business cycle.
The data covers statistical establishments across Canada classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). It includes both incorporated and unincorporated businesses with employees. By providing a snapshot of the wholesale sector, which accounts for approximately 5% to 6% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product, the data serves as a vital input for calculating the national GDP and helps government agencies and private investors make informed decisions about economic policy and market performance.
This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.
