Ireland's trade surplus widened in September as exports continued to grow, new data from the Central Statistics Office showed today.
Preliminary figures for September showed the surplus rose to €3.91 billion, compared to €3.8 billion in August. Exports increased 2 per cent to €7.8 billion over the month, while imports rose 1 per cent to almost €3.9 billion.
On an unadjusted basis, the surplus rose to €4.2 billion, as exports rose 4 per cent to €8 billion and imports increased 7 per cent to €3.8 billion.
Between January and August exports rose 2 per cent compared to a year earlier, to €58.2 billion. This increase was partly driven by a rise of 11 per cent in the value of medical and pharmaceutical products, and an increase of 89 per cent in metalliferous ores and scrap metal.
The rises were offset somewhat by a 32 per cent falls in the value of computer exports. Other transport equipment, including aircraft, fell by 74 per cent.
Ireland's main export markets were the US, which accounted for €13.3 billion, Belgium and Britain. The three territories comprise 52 per cent of the total value of exports in the eight months.
In the same period, imports were down 2 per cent to €29.8 billion, as computer equipment imports declined 36 per cent and transport equipment was down 27 per cent.
Ireland imported larger amounts of petroleum, medical products and road vehicles.
Minister for for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher said the figures showed Ireland's recovery in recent months has been maintained.
"The spike in our imports indicates renewed activity in the economy as businesses buy raw materials and consumers spend more," he said.
"A key reason for Ireland's strong export performance is our sharply improving competitiveness and the Government will continue to pursue that agenda."