The value of Irish exports rose 5 per cent to €9.5 billion in June 2016, while imports fell 8 per cent to €5.05 billion. As a result, the State’s trade surplus for the month rose €826 million or 22 per cent to €4.5 billion.
The latest trade figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) point to another good year for Irish exports. However, the impact of Brexit and the subsequent weakness in sterling are likely to affect the figures for the second half of the year.
The value of goods exports for the six months to the end of June was €55.4 billion, an increase of €654 million (up 1 per cent) when compared with the equivalent period last year.
Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products rose €298 million, or 12 per cent, to €2.8 billion in June compared with the equivalent month last year.