Wholesale trade hits record in May

Saskatchewan posted an 8.3 per cent year-over-year increase (seasonally adjusted) in wholesale trade to $2.14 billion in May — the highest total ever for that month, according to Statistics Canada figures released Thursday.

The province’s wholesale trade figures are 10 times the national increase of 0.8 per cent year over year in May.

“The volume of economic

“IT IS A VERY BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR MANY OF OUR KEY INDUSTRIES AND WE EXPECT TO SEE CONTINUED GROWTH ACROSS A NUMBER OF SECTORS.” ECONOMY MINISTER BILL BOYD

activity that’s taking place in Saskatchewan right now is a key factor in growing the wholesale business in the province,” Economy Minister Bill Boyd said.

“It is a very busy time of year for many of our key industries and we expect to see continued growth across a number of sectors.”

Saskatchewan had the second-highest percentage increase among the provinces on a year-over-year basis. Month-to-month, wholesale trade in the province was up five per cent between April and May, third-best in the nation.

Wholesale trade in the province has increased five out of the last six months on a month-to-month basis. Agricultural supplies, such as chemicals and fertilizer were up 21.4 per cent to $1.032 billion in the first four months of 2013, according to Sask Trends Monitor.