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June 25, 2019WHOLESALE TRADE, APRIL 2019 
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 April 2019, on a seasonally adjusted basis
- month-over-month Wholesale Trade decreased 2.1 per cent to $868.4 million over March 2019.
- year-over-year Wholesale Trade increased 0.3 per cent over April 2018.
- year-to-date (Jan-Apr 2019) Wholesale Trade increased 2.2 per cent over Jan-Apr 2018.
In Canada April 2019, on a seasonally adjusted basis
- month-over-month Wholesale Trade increased 1.7 per cent to $65.3 billion over March 2019.
- year-over-year Wholesale Trade increased 4.8 per cent over April 2018.
- year-to-date (Jan-Apr 2019) Wholesale Trade increased 3.2 per cent over Jan-Apr 2018.
BY PROVINCE
On a month over month basis, seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 1.7 per cent nationally. Four provinces reported monthly increases in wholesale trade, with Alberta (5.9 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported a decline (2.1 per cent) over the previous month. Manitoba reported the largest decline (5.9 per cent) over the previous month.
On a year-over-year basis, seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 4.8 per cent nationally. All ten provinces reported positive year-over-year increases in wholesale trade, with Saskatchewan (14.7 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (0.3 per cent) over the previous year. Compared to April 2018 British Columbia reported the smallest gain (0.01 per cent).
On a year-to-date basis, in Canada seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 3.2 per cent. Nine provinces reported year-to-date increases in wholesale trade, with Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan (13.9 per cent) reporting the largest gains in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (2.2 per cent) over the same period last year. Compared to Jan-Apr 2018, British Columbia reported the only decline (0.8 per cent).
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-Apr 2019), Total wholesale trade year-to-date increased 2.2 per cent ($76.2 million) over the same period last year.
The following wholesale sectors increased;
- Food, beverage with a 33% share of Wholesale Trade increased 0.2 per cent ($2.2 million).
- Motor vehicle and parts with a 17% share increased 4.4 per cent ($25.6 million).
- Building material with a 20% share increased 1.1 per cent ($7.6 million).
- Machinery, equipment with a 17% share increased 6.9 per cent ($38.9 million).
- Other wholesalers with a 6% share increased 13.2 per cent ($24.1 million)
The following wholesale sectors declined;
STATISTICS CANADA QUOTE
"In April, sales were down in all of the Atlantic provinces. Sales declined in New Brunswick (-3.4%) due to lower sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector. Sales also decreased in Nova Scotia (-2.1%), Newfoundland and Labrador (-4.1%) and Prince Edward Island (-3.0%)."
Reference Tables
20-10-0074-01 Seasonally adjusted Wholesale sales by province
20-10-0074-01 Nova Scotia seasonally adjusted Wholesale trade by NAICS sectors
Citations
Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0074-01 Wholesale trade, sales (x 1,000)
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