Seasonally adjusted manufacturing sector sales in Alberta increased for the seventh month in a row in March.

Just under $150 million in additional shipments brought sales in March to $6.4 billion—an increase of 2.4 per cent.

Sales in March were above the pre-pandemic level for the second consecutive month.

High lumber prices helped push monthly wood product sales up by $69.1 million for a gain of 11.2 per cent.

Strong gains were also posted for chemicals ($40.1 million), fabricated metal products ($18.5 million), food ($18.5 million) and machinery ($17.6 million).

Although higher without compensating for the time of year, sales of refined petroleum products such as gasoline contracted by 2.5 per cent ($35.2 million) on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Despite the third wave of the pandemic, the economic recovery in the U.S. and China combined with robust gasoline prices should continue to lift sales from Alberta’s factories.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Six of Canada’s 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in Alberta?

Today’s trivia question: As Owl readers, we know that Alberta’s official bird is the great horned owl. What is Alberta’s official fish?