Trade with non-EU countries slows

Growth in trade with non-EU countries has slowed according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office(CSO).

On a seasonally adjusted basis the value of Ireland’s exports for April fell to £2,166m from £2,442m in March, while imports fell to £1,364m from £1,686m in March.

The figures show Ireland had an unadjusted trade surplus with non-EU countries of £782m in April.

The unadjusted exports during the period were valued at £2,147m, 27 per cent higher than the £1,688m recorded in April of last year. Imports for the period were valued at £1,365m, 13 per cent higher than the £1,209m in April last year.

For the four month period between January and April of this year exports to non-EU countries increased by 37 per cent, from £6,620m to £9,057m. Exports to the US increased by 47 per cent, from £2,882m to £4,242m.

Exports of organic chemicals increased by 78 per cent from £1,593m to £2,829m,for the period while exports of electrical machinery rose by 65 per cent, from £813m to £1,339m.

Imports for the period increased by 22 per cent, from £5,035m to £6,146m. Imports from the US increased by 38 per cent while imports from China rose by 57 per cent.

Imports of computer equipment rose by 22 per cent, from £1,284m to £1,560m, for the period while that of transport equipment and road vehicles increased by 247 per cent,from £105m to £366m.