Canterbury manufacturers' sales fall

Canterbury manufacturers are beginning to feel the slowing economy, with a survey showing total sales fell 10 per cent in April.

The Canterbury Manufacturers' Association survey was a sharp turnaround on the 3 per cent increase recorded a month earlier.

Exports sales - which accounted for about 51 per cent of the survey sample - fell 16 per cent, while domestic sales fell 3.5 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier.

"April was disrupted with Easter and other holidays," CMA chief executive John Walley said.