(Adds details from report)
OTTAWA, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The value of Canadian wholesale
trade was unchanged in July as gains in sectors including
machinery and motor vehicles were offset by declines in the food
industry, data from Statistics Canada showed on Monday.
The reading fell short of economists' forecasts for a gain
of 0.7 percent. June's figures were unrevised at 1.3 percent. In
volume terms, wholesale sales were down 0.4 percent in July.
The machinery, equipment and supplies sector rose by 1.0
percent, driven by higher sales in computer and communications
equipment and supplies. But elsewhere in the sector, sales in
construction, forestry, mining and industrial machinery,
equipment and supplies industry dropped 3.0 percent.
The motor vehicle and parts sector rose 0.2 percent, making
for the fourth increase in five months.
Overall, higher sales were seen in three sectors accounting
for 52 percent of wholesale sales. Among the decliners, the
food, beverage and tobacco sector fell 0.5 percent.
In Alberta, where Canada's vast oil sands are located, sales
fell 0.7 percent to C$6.66 billion ($5.04 billion) the lowest
since December 2013. Declines were widespread, led by building
material and supplies.
($1 = $1.3210 Canadian)