The seasonally adjusted value of manufacturing sales in Alberta increased for the 13th consecutive month in May.

At $7.2 billion, shipments from the province’s factories were $115 million (1.6%) higher in May.

The situation has changed dramatically since last year when sales plunged by $1.7 billion (26.5%) between February 2020 and April 2020.

On a year-to-date basis, sales were 21.7% higher than last year and 2.1% higher than in 2019.

Wood products posted the largest monthly gain, growing by 11.3% ($93.6 million) in May. Machinery manufacturing was at the other end of the continuum, with its sales contracting by 14.0% ($71 million).

Nationally, manufacturing pulled back by 0.6% to $57.9 billion in May, the second consecutive monthly decline.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton on June 9, 1961.

Today’s trivia question: What is the largest commercial bank in the world in terms of total assets under management?