(Ottawa) Statistics Canada revealed Thursday that manufacturing sector sales fell 2.8% to $71 billion in October, due to lower sales of petroleum and coal products and a decrease in sales in the machinery and computer and electronic products subsectors.

The federal agency says sales declined in 12 of the 21 subsectors it tracks.

The petroleum and coal products subsector fell 10.3% to 8.4 billion in October, due to lower prices and volumes.

The machinery subsector fell 6.6% to 4.4 billion, while computer and electronic products fell 15% to 1.4 billion.

Sales of aerospace products and parts increased 6.9% to 2.2 billion.

Statistics Canada says total sales in constant dollars fell 2.2% in October, indicating a decline in the volume of goods sold.

Manufacturing sales fell in six provinces in October, particularly in Ontario and Alberta. Nova Scotia posted the largest increase.