OTTAWA (CP) -- Manufacturing sales fell 6.4 percent to $48.4 billion in November, their lowest level since December 2004 and fourth straight monthly decline.
Constant dollar manufacturing sales, which are measured in 2002 prices, decreased by three percent in November -- meaning about half the drop in current dollar series reflected price declines from October.
Statistics Canada reports the most significant price decreases were in the petroleum and coal industry, down 18.5 percent, and the primary metal industry, down six percent.
Sales in 12 of 21 manufacturing industries decreased in November, accounting for over 80 percent of total sales.
November sales were down in the five largest industries, led by a 20.6 percent drop in petroleum and coal product manufacturing, where sales have decreased by almost $3 billion compared with the peak of $8.2 billion reached in June 2008.
Primary metal manufacturers also reported significantly lower sales, down 17.4 percent to $4.1 billion.
Sales in the transportation equipment industry decreased 3.9 percent in November. Aerospace products and parts production pulled back 22.5 percent.
Chemical product manufacturers posted an 8.7 percent drop in sales, largely due to the resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial and synthetic fibres and filaments industry.
Every province reported decreased manufacturing sales in November, ranging from a 0.3 percent decline in Saskatchewan to a 31.5 percent drop in New Brunswick.