Sales at constant 2019 prices: results for March 2023

Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), wholesale trade sales decreased by 1,4% in March 2023 compared with March 2022.

Seasonally adjusted wholesale trade sales decreased by 0,6% in March 2023 compared with February 2023. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,1% in February 2023 and 1,2% in January 2023.

In the first quarter of 2023, seasonally adjusted wholesale trade sales increased by 0,1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2022.

Sales at current prices: results for March 2023

Measured in nominal terms (current prices), wholesale trade sales increased by 8,3% in March 2023 compared with March 2022. The main contributors were dealers in:

·        machinery, equipment and supplies (35,9% and contributing 4,3 percentage points);

·        agricultural raw materials and livestock (26,3% and contributing 1,6 percentage points);

·        food, beverages and tobacco (7,0% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and

·        ‘other’ goods (12,8% and contributing 1,0 percentage point).

Wholesale trade sales increased by 10,7% in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the first quarter of 2022. The main contributors were dealers in:

·        machinery, equipment and supplies (23,3% and contributing 3,1 percentage points);

·        agricultural raw materials and livestock (34,1% and contributing 2,0 percentage points);

·        solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and related products (7,4% and contributing 1,9 percentage points); and

·        ‘other’ goods (19,1% and contributing 1,4 percentage points).