Canada’s wholesale trade sector recorded a modest increase in October 2025, with sales rising despite ongoing price pressures and uneven performance across subsectors, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada .
Wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, other hydrocarbons, and oilseed and grain, rose 0.1% month-on-month to CAD 86.0 billion in October. Gains were recorded in four of the seven wholesale subsectors, representing about half of total wholesale activity.
However, when adjusted for price changes, wholesale sales volumes declined 0.7%, indicating that higher prices rather than increased demand drove much of the nominal growth .
The strongest contributor to October’s increase came from the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector, where sales rose 2.3% to CAD 14.7 billion. The growth was primarily driven by higher wholesale sales of passenger vehicles manufactured abroad, along with buses and transport trucks, reflecting continued activity in vehicle distribution and fleet renewal .
In contrast, sales of new motor vehicle parts and accessories declined, highlighting mixed conditions within the broader automotive supply chain.
Another notable highlight was the farm product subsector (excluding oilseeds and grains), which posted a 16.7% monthly increase, showing its sixth consecutive monthly gain. Sales reached CAD 2.0 billion, representing a 28.1% increase year-on-year.
Statistics Canada attributed the surge to a combination of higher volumes and rising prices, coinciding with low inventories of live animals, which have tightened supply conditions across agricultural markets .
Declines Offset Gains in Other Subsectors
Partially offsetting these increases were declines in the miscellaneous wholesalers subsector, where sales fell 3.7% to CAD 10.9 billion. The drop was largely driven by sharp decreases in agricultural supplies and mineral, ore, and precious metal wholesaling.
Meanwhile, the food, beverage and tobacco subsector recorded a slight monthly decline of 0.4%, although it remained 6.5% higher compared with October 2024, indicating sustained year-on-year growth despite short-term fluctuations.
At the provincial level, Ontario emerged as the main driver of national wholesale growth, with sales increasing 0.9% to CAD 44.3 billion in October. This marked the province’s fifth increase in six months, supported by gains in motor vehicles, food and beverages, and personal and household goods .
In contrast, Quebec recorded the largest decline, with wholesale sales falling 2.9%, as five of its seven subsectors reported lower activity. The food, beverage and tobacco subsector was the primary contributor to the drop.
Excluding Ontario, wholesale sales across the rest of Canada declined 0.8%, underscoring the province’s outsized role in supporting national wholesale performance during the month.
Inventories Remain Stable
Wholesale inventories were virtually unchanged in October, edging down marginally to CAD 135.4 billion. Declines in food, beverage and tobacco inventories, as well as personal and household goods, were largely offset by a 2.7% increase in motor vehicle inventories, suggesting ongoing restocking in the automotive sector .
The inventory-to-sales ratio slipped slightly from 1.58 in September to 1.57 in October, indicating marginally faster inventory turnover.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
