Exports rose slightly in April

Exports rose slightly in April compared to the previous month, according to preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Exports in April were €7.38 billion, up €53 million (1 per cent) on figures for March.

Imports rose by €16.9 million (4 per cent) to €3.95 billion, resulting in a narrowing of the trade surplus to over €3.42 billion. Year-on-year, the value of exports grew by €433 million, driven mostly by a €212 million rise in medical and pharmaceutical exports and a €127 million rise in the export of office and data processing machines.

The European Union was the main recipient of Irish exports during April, with €4.36 billion (58 per cent) of the total going to the bloc. Almost a quarter of that (€1.06 billion) was exported to Britain.

The US accounted for a further €1.51 billion (20 per cent ) of exports, while China accounted for just €177 million (2.4 per cent) of the total.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, welcomed new merchandise trade figures published by the CSO which show that goods exports in April are up 6 per cent on the same month in 2012.

Minister Bruton said a strong export performance will be crucial to delivering economic recovery. “ Through the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is determined to rebuild a sustainable economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports, and we are delivering on measures to deepen and develop the impact of multinational investment here and to make it easier for Irish companies to export more,” saud Minister Bruton.