Saskatchewan took centre stage in the latest monthly report on manufacturing activity in the country.
Revenues were up almost 30-percent in July compared to June, the strongest performance in the country in a month where revenues rose in seven provinces.
StatsCan noted food sales jumped by a remarkable 55-percent on a month-over-month basis. Milling of grain and oilseeds accounted for a big chunk of the improvement as revenues in this sub-sector jumped 75-percent in the month. There was also a strong increase in petroleum and coal production.
Manufacturing has been a stalwart of Saskatchewan’s economic activity in recent years but it fell back in the first half of the year. The July numbers represent a strong rebound for the sector, especially the milling numbers which had fallen by 36-percent in June before growing by 75-percent in July.
Saskatchewan also played a role in pushing the national figures during the month.
After pulling back in June, national manufacturing sales rose in July with Saskatchewan posting a $500 million improvement followed by Quebec with a gain of $300 million.
