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February 20, 2018WHOLESALE TRADE, DECEMBER AND ANNUAL 2017 
In Nova Scotia December 2017, on a seasonally adjusted basis, month-over-month wholesale sales decreased 1.3 per cent to $820.2 million. The index of growth (2015=100) decreased to 106.7. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale sales were 4.6 per cent higher than December 2016.
In Canada December 2017, on a seasonally adjusted basis, month-over-month wholesale sales decreased 0.5 per cent to $63.0 billion. The index of growth (2015=100) decreased to 106.7. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale sales were 7.7 per cent higher over December 2016.
In Canada December 2017, sales were down in five of seven industries, over the previous month:
- Miscellaneous subsector decreased 2.4% to $7.9 billion.
- Food and beverage were down 1.4% to $12.0 billion.
- Motor vehicle and parts decreased 1.4% to $11.7 billion.
- Personal and household goods sales were down 3.3% to $8.5 billion.
- Farm product decreased 7.8% to $771 million
- Machinery and equipment subsector were up 2.3% to $12.7 billion.
- Building materials and supplies were up 2.7% to $9.3 billion.
By Province
In month-over-month seasonally adjusted wholesale sales, only four provinces reported positive-growth. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the strongest growth at +3.5%. Nova Scotia's monthly decline (-1.3%) was faster than the national average of -0.5% over the previous month.
On a year-over-year basis, Nova Scotia's wholesale trade (+4.6%) grew more slowly than the national average (+7.7%). Alberta had the fastest growth, with wholesale trade increasing 10.5% over December 2016. Ontario (+10.3%) also recorded double digit growth over the same period last year. Six provinces reported single digit, positive growth while Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan each recorded a 2.7% decline.
ANNUAL (Preliminary)
In 2017 vs 2016, most provinces reported strong gains in wholesale trade. Nova Scotia's wholesale trade increased by 7.6% to $10 billion last year. Nova Scotia's growth was slower than the national average, up 9.4%to $741.1 billion. Alberta recorded the highest sales growth at 10.5%, followed closely by Prince Edward Island (+10.3%) and Quebec (+10.0%).
Nova Scotia Sectors
Statistics Canada now releases seasonally adjusted wholesale trade data by sector at the provincial level. As there has been significant volatility in recent wholesale values for Nova Scotia. Year-to-date comparisons are more indicative of economic conditions for volatile indicators and seasonally adjusted wholesale values will also smooth out the indicator. In the coming months, the annual final data for wholesale trade will be released. In the meanwhile, the following are the adjusted and unadjusted sector statistics for Nova Scotia.
In 2017, seasonally adjusted total wholesale trade increased 7.6% (+$709.3 million) over the same period last year.
- Food, beverage with a 35% share of Wholesale Trade increased 9.2% (+$292.0 million).
- Motor vehicle and parts with a 17% share increased 12.0% (+$182.1 million).
- Building material with a 20% share increased 12.1% (+$212.8 million).
- Machinery, equipment with a 16% share increased 11.5% (+$167.4 million).
- Miscellaneous wholesalers with a 7% share decreased -13.3% (-$105.5 million).
In 2017, unadjusted total wholesale trade increased 7.6% (+$703.2 million) over the same period last year.
- Food, beverage with a 35% share of Wholesale Trade increased 8.6% (+$274.6 million).
- Motor vehicle and parts with a 17% share increased 12.1% (+$183.3 million).
- Building material with a 20% share increased 12.4% (+$218.3 million).
- Machinery, equipment with a 16% share increased 11.6% (+$169.0 million).
- Miscellaneous wholesalers with a 7% share decreased -13.1% (-$104.4 million).
Statistics Canada: CANSIM table 081-0011
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