Exports of goods from Northern Ireland increased by 12% in the second quarter of 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.
The total value of the exports was just under £2.3bn. This is the best quarter on record in nominal terms.
The figures – produced by HM Revenue and Customs – show that the biggest increase in exports was to the Republic of Ireland, with the value up 14%. The next largest increase was to Canada,which was an increase of 13%.
The majority of ‘exports’ – 53 per cent – went to the EU, with 29% going to North America.
Most categories of goods saw export increases, with food exports up 28% compared to the second quarter of 2016. Wales, Scotland and all English regions also recorded increases in export figures.