(OTTAWA) Canadian manufacturing sales rose 1.2% to $72.9 billion in May, after falling 0.1% in April, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Sales of chemicals advanced 4.8% to $5.9 billion in May, boosted by stronger sales of pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in Alberta and higher sales of pharmaceutical and medical services in Ontario, explained the federal agency.

The motor vehicle sector saw the supply of semiconductor chips continue to improve and its sales rose 4.8% to 4.9 billion in May, after falling 3.6% in April.

Meanwhile, sales in the primary metal manufacturing subsector fell 6.9% to $5.2 billion.

Statistics Canada pointed out that weaker demand has caused a contraction in manufacturing activities around the world, particularly in China, which has led to lower sales in the non-metallic production and processing industry. ferrous, except aluminum.

Expressed in constant dollars, overall manufacturing sales rose 2.2% in May, signaling a greater volume of goods sold.