Manufacturing sales hit record high in May

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

Manufacturing sales in Canada hit a record $78.1 billion in May, growing 1.3 percent for the fourth month in a row, led by sharp increases in the automotive and chemical sectors. This sustained growth signals continued recovery and strength in key industries despite mixed results in other parts of the economy.

Manufacturing sales in Canada reached a record high in May, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth, according to data released by Statistics Canada. Total manufacturing sales increased by 1.3 percent to $78.1 billion, driven primarily by robust gains in the automotive and chemical sectors.

Sales of motor vehicles surged 11.8 percent to $4.6 billion in May, representing the largest contributor to the overall rise in manufacturing activity. The chemical subsector also recorded a significant increase, with sales climbing 4.6 percent to $5.9 billion.

These increases came despite mixed results in other areas of the economy. Wholesale sales, when excluding petroleum, petroleum products and other hydrocarbons, as well as oilseed and grain, remained largely unchanged from the previous month, totaling approximately $90 billion.

The data reflects sustained demand and production capacity across key manufacturing industries, highlighting the sector’s ongoing recovery and expansion amid fluctuating global economic conditions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.