StatCan says energy prices help boost March manufacturing sales three per cent
Posted May 15, 2026 7:28 am.
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose three per cent in March to $73.6 billion, the highest level since January last year, boosted by higher energy prices.
The agency says sales rose in nine of the 21 subsectors it tracks, led by the petroleum and coal product and transportation equipment subsectors.
Sales of petroleum and coal products rose 22.7 per cent to $9.4 billion in March, driven largely by higher prices, as sales in real terms fell 3.5 per cent.
Sales of transportation equipment rose six per cent to $11.4 billion, helped by a 15 per cent gain in the motor vehicle industry group as auto production picked up in the month.
Excluding the petroleum and coal product subsector, total manufacturing sales rose 0.7 per cent in March.
In real terms, total manufacturing sales gained one per cent in March.
