Canadian wholesale sales fell 1.6% in August
Declines in motor vehicles and agricultural supplies pulled sales lower, while building materials increased.
Event / data period: 2026-08
Published: · Updated:
Statistics Canada reported that seasonally adjusted wholesale sales, excluding specified petroleum and grain categories, fell 1.6% to C$91.6 billion in August. Sales declined in five of seven subsectors, although the total remained 7.2% above its level a year earlier.
Sales of motor vehicles and parts fell 3.8% to C$15.1 billion, the first decline after six consecutive monthly increases. Agricultural supplies recorded the next-largest decrease, down 12.4% to C$3.5 billion, as sales from potash companies were lower. Building materials and supplies rose 1.4% to C$14.1 billion, partly offsetting the declines.
Data
Canadian wholesale trade, August 2026
Selected current-dollar values and changes from Statistics Canada’s August 2026 wholesale sales release.
| Wholesale sales, excluding oilseed, grain, petroleum and other hydrocarbons | 91.6 | -1.6 | 7.2 |
| Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories | 15.1 | -3.8 | — |
| Agricultural supplies | 3.5 | -12.4 | — |
| Building materials and supplies | 14.1 | 1.4 | — |
Methodology
Wholesale sales are seasonally adjusted current-dollar values and are not adjusted for price changes. The total defined by the source excludes petroleum and petroleum products, other hydrocarbons, and oilseed and grain. Subsector comparisons use the values published in the release.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Subject proposals
- EconomySuggested
- Preserved editorial category/topic; broad candidate onlywww150.statcan.gc.ca ↗
- AgricultureSuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: agriculturalwww150.statcan.gc.ca ↗
- AutomotiveSuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: motor vehicleswww150.statcan.gc.ca ↗
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- Canada · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredwww150.statcan.gc.ca ↗