Agricultural supplies boosted April wholesale trade in Saskatchewan, according to a report released by Statistics Canada today. Wholesale trade increased by 6.7 per cent between March 2012 and April 2012, the highest increase among the provinces, and well ahead of the 1.5 per cent rise nationally. Wholesale trade totalled $2.1 billion in April, the highest on record for that month.
"Agriculture is an important sector in the Saskatchewan economy, and the increase in ag purchases have made a significant contribution to the wholesale numbers announced recently," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "Aside from agriculture, the strong performance in other major industries including mining, construction and manufacturing are balancing out what is a strong and vibrant Saskatchewan economy."
Wholesale trade was up by 18.8 per cent on a year-over-year basis, more than two and a half times the 7.6 per cent recorded nationally, and the second highest percentage increase in Canada.
"The record wholesale trade in April is a good indication that the economy is on track to continue steady growth," Boyd said. "This also helps boost confidence which creates more investment, more jobs and, more importantly prosperity for the businesses and people of Saskatchewan."
