(Chart: Statistics Canada)

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales fell 3.3 per cent to $52.1 billion in August, the first dro of 2014. The decrease mostly reversed the gains recorded for June and July.

The federal agency says about half the August loss was due to lower sales of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts.

In the motor vehicle industry, sales decreased 12.0 per cent to $4.5 billion. The decline followed stronger than usual sales in July, up 13.7 per cent. Unadjusted sales in August, on a year-to-date basis, were 3.5 per cent higher than the same period last year.

Sales in the motor vehicle parts industry were down 10.8 per cent to $2.0 billion in August. The decline was the second in eight months.

The agency says August sales were down in 16 of 21 industries, representing about 81 per cent of the countrys manufacturing.  In August, seven of the provinces saw decline, with a major decrease in Ontario.

Manufacturing sales in ontario declined 4.6 per cent to $23.9 billion, essentially reversing the 4.8 per cent advance in July. Declines in the transportation equipment industry were the main cause of the sales dro in the province in August. In particular, sales in the motor vehicle (-12.4 per cent), motor vehicle parts (-11.1 per cent) and aerospace product and parts (-28.5 per cent) industries were lower.

Quebecs manufacturing sector declined 1.6 per cent to $12.1 billion in August, following three months of gains; the decline is attributed to decrease in sales in the transportation equipment and the petroleum and coal product industries.

Manufacturing sales in Alberta decreased 2.8 per cent to $6.7 billion.

Sales in Manitoba declined 9.9 per cent to $1.3 billion in August, following a 14.3% gain in July. The decrease was largely attributable to lower sales in the primary metal and transportation equipment industries.

Statistics Canada says constant dollar sales decreased 3.7 per cent, indicating that a lower volume of products was sold.