Non-EU exports falls by 3% in 2002

Exports to non-EU countries for the first ten months of 2002 fell by three per cent according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO said seasonally adjusted exports to non-EU countries increased to €2,708m in October. This compares with €2,386 million in September. The CSO said imports decreased marginally to €1,432m from €1,439m in the same period.

The unadjusted exports were valued at €2,889 million in October, seven per cent lower than the €3,116m recorded in October last year while imports were valued at €1,577 million, 10 per cent lower than the €1,743 million recorded in October 2001.

When comparing January to October 2002 with the corresponding period last year, Exports fell from €29,291 million to €28,331 million, a fall of 3 per cent.

Exports of Electrical machinery decreased from by 30 per cent and exports of Organic chemicals decreased by 7 per cent.

However, exports of Medical and pharmaceutical products increased 63 per cent.

Exports to the USA decreased from 13,525 million to 13,044 million, a fall of four per cent drop while exports to Saudi Arabia increased from 335m to 1,428m, a rise of 326 per cent.

Imports during the period, fell from 17,186m to 15,953m, a fall of 7 per cent.

Imports of Computer equipment decreased by 16 per cent while imports of Transport equipment 129 per cent.

Imports from Singapore decreased from €1,123m to €751m (-33%) while imports from Switzerland increased from €366m to €497m (+36%).