Ireland exported nearly €14billion of goods in 2015 and over €20bn of trade in services in 2014 to the United Kingdom.
Most Irish companies aiming to export test the water and begin expanding their business through exports to the UK. It is a key export market for the domestic sector. 15 per cent of all Irish goods are exported to the UK and around half of exports from indigenous Irish companies are dependent on this market.
The UK is by far and away the most important market for the food and drinks industry accounting for 41 per cent of all Irish agri-food and drink exports in 2015.
Exporters are concerned that the uncertainty engendered by the Referendum campaign is already affecting their export potential.