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May 15, 2026MANUFACTURING SHIPMENTS, MARCH 2026 Note: Disruptions in global oil markets have elevated petroleum product prices causing significant volatility in the value of refined petroleum shipments.
Monthly (seasonally adjusted, March 2026 vs February 2026)
Nova Scotia's manufacturing shipments decreased 1.3% to $1.07 billion. National shipments rose 3.0% to $73.57 billion.
Manufacturing shipments were up in eight provinces, with Saskatchewan reporting the largest increase, and Newfoundland and Labrador having the largest percentage decline among provinces from February to March 2026.
Year-over-year (March 2026 vs March 2025)
Nova Scotia's manufacturing shipments decreased by 10.0% year-over-year, the fastest decline among provinces. National shipments increased 3.5%. Eight provinces reported year-over-year gains led by Newfoundland and Labrador.
Year-to-date (January-March 2026 vs January-March 2025)
Nova Scotia's manufacturing shipments declined 6.7% in January-March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. National shipments declined 1.5%. Six provinces reported year-to-date declines, with the fastest decline in Prince Edward Island (followed by Nova Scotia). The fastest gain was reported in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Both durable and non-durable goods shipments were down in January-March 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Durable good shipments were down across the province, while an increase in non-durable goods shipments in Halifax offset by the decline in the rest of Nova Scotia. Durable goods shipments from Halifax account for more than half of the province's durables output. The majority of Nova Scotia's non-durable manufacturing shipments come from outside the city.
Trends
Nova Scotia's shipments values have exhibited greater volatility in the last two years and have trended down since spring 2025. National shipments have trended down for several years.
Statistics Canada. Table 16-10-0047-01 Manufacturers' sales, inventories, orders and inventory to sales ratios, by industry (dollars unless otherwise noted); Table 16-10-0048-01 Manufacturing sales by industry and province, monthly (dollars unless otherwise noted) (x 1,000); Table 16-10-0011-01 Manufacturing sales, by industry for 12 Selected Census Metropolitan Areas (x 1,000)
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