Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales fell 1.4% to $71.9 billion in March, as sales declined in the primary metal and petroleum and coal product subsectors.
Sales of primary metals dropped 6.5% to $5.9 billion, while petroleum and coal product sales fell 4.2% to $7.8 billion.
Furniture and related product sales rose 11.9% to $1.4 billion, led by gains in the household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet industry group.
In constant dollars, total manufacturing sales were down 1.1%.
In a separate report, the agency said wholesale sales — excluding petroleum, petroleum products and other hydrocarbons, as well as oilseed and grain — rose 0.2% to $86.5 billion in March.
In volume terms, wholesale sales excluding those items declined 0.3%.
Statistics Canada noted it has begun including oilseed and grain, along with petroleum and petroleum products, as part of wholesale trade. However, it is excluding these categories from monthly analysis until sufficient historical data is available.