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February 21, 2019WHOLESALE TRADE, DECEMBER AND ANNUAL 2018 
The month-over-month index of wholesale trade illustrates the volatility of Nova Scotia seasonally adjusted wholesale trade in comparison to the national index. Year-to-date comparisons are more indicative of economic conditions for such volatile indicators.
In Nova Scotia December 2018, on a seasonally adjusted basis
- month-over-month Wholesale Trade increased 2.1 per cent to $867.1 million over November 2018.
- year-over-year Wholesale Trade increased 7.4 per cent over December 2017.
- year-to-date (Jan-Dec 2018) Wholesale Trade increased 4.2 per cent over Jan-Dec 2017.
In Canada December 2018, on a seasonally adjusted basis
- month-over-month Wholesale Trade increased 0.3 per cent to $63.1 billion over November 2018.
- year-over-year Wholesale Trade increased 1.7 per cent over December 2017.
- year-to-date (Jan-Dec 2018) Wholesale Trade increased 3.7 per cent over Jan-Dec 2017.
By Province
On a month over month basis, seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 0.3 per cent nationally. Six provinces reported monthly increases in wholesale trade, with Newfoundland and Labrador (17.9 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (2.1 per cent) over the previous month. Prince Edward Island reported the largest decline (-3.3 per cent) over the previous month.
On a year-over-year basis, seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 1.7 per cent nationally. Ten provinces reported year-over-year increases in wholesale trade, with Prince Edward Island (16.7 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (7.4 per cent) over the previous year. Compared to December 2017 New Brunswick reported the smallest gain (0.003 per cent).
On a year-to-date basis, in Canada seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 3.7 per cent. Nine provinces reported year-to-date increases in wholesale trade, with Prince Edward Island (20.5 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (4.2 per cent) over the same period last year. Compared to Jan-Dec 2017, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the only decline (-2.2 per cent).
ANNUAL Wholesale Growth
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 Nova Scotia (Jan-Dec 2018), Total wholesale trade year-to-date increased 4.2 per cent ($415.6 million) over the same period last year.
- Food, beverage with a 34% share of Wholesale Trade increased 3.3 per cent ($110.8 million).
- Motor vehicle and parts with a 16% share decreased 4.4 per cent (-$77.2 million).
- Building material with a 20% share increased 2.7 per cent ($53.3 million).
- Machinery, equipment with a 16% share increased 2.4 per cent ($38.1 million).
- Miscellaneous wholesalers with a 7% share increased 16.0 per cent ($106.1 million).
References
Statistics Canada Table 20-10-0074-01 (formerly CANSIM 081-0011)
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