Factory sales by manufacturers rose 2% in April to $49.8 billion after declining in March, Statistics Canada reported today.

Gains were led by the petroleum products industry but still were broadly based. Seventeen of 21 manufacturing industries, representing 80% of total sales, reported increases. Sales of petroleum and coal products were up 9%, hitting $7 billion for the first time and dominating all industries.

StatsCan said a 7.9% price hike and a return to more normal production levels after maintenance were the key reasons for April’s showing.

Excluding petroleum from the mix, total manufacturing sales still climbed 1%.

Manufacturing sales of chemical products advanced 3.8% to $4.1 billion in April.

The agency says higher prices (up 2.3%) and the timing of shipments, some of which were delayed in March, contributed to the boost.

The machinery industry posted a 5.7% rebound in sales.

Manufacturers’ sales of motor vehicles rose 1.8% to $4.1 billion in April after a 5.9% March.

The aerospace products and parts industry reported a 25.2% drop.

In volume, manufacturers’ sales improved 1.3% to $47.2 billion in April, measured at 2002 prices. This marked the third increase in volumes in four months.

By province, healthy increases in sales of petroleum products contributed to improved manufacturing sales in Ontario (up 1.4%), Alberta (4.3) and New Brunswick (17.3). Seven provinces reported higher sales.

Manufacturers’ inventories advanced 0.4% to $65.3 billion in April.