The value of Irish exports fell by 12 per cent in February while imports rose marginally. This resulted in a trade surplus for the month of just under €4 billion.
While the monthly trade figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) are volatile, the underlying trend remains positive with the value of exports for the year so far put at €22.3 billion, up 11 per cent on the corresponding period last year.
The main exports were medical and pharmaceutical products, which rose by €565 million (18 per cent) to €3.6 billion in February compared with the same month last year.
Exports of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances fell by €343 million (47 per cent) to €385 million.