Source: CSO

Irish merchandise exports increased by 5% in June, relative to May 2009 and imports decreased by 9%. Relative to April 2009, exports decreased by 9% in May 2009 while imports grew by 3%. Exports from the US-owned medical and pharmaceutical  sector were up 17% in year to May. Chemical exports rose 31% in June.

The CSO said today that on an unadjusted basis, the value of exports in June 2009, was up 6% on June 2008, while the value of imports was down 24%. The value of exports in May 2009 was down 4% on May 2008 and the value of imports was down 20%.

The Preliminary June 2009 data show a 31% increase over 2008 in Chemical exports to the EU and decreased Machinery imports from the EU and China.

The January-May figures for 2009 when compared with those of 2008 show that:

Exports increased from €36,053m to €36,755m (+2%) - - Medical and pharmaceutical products increased by 17%, Organic chemicals by 22%, Other transport equipment (including aircraft) by 299% (€416m) and Professional, scientific and controlling apparatus by 13%.
Computer equipment decreased by 28%, Electrical machinery by 31%, Industrial machinery by 38%, Metalliferous ores by 55%, Chemical products by 12%,

Telecommunications equipment by 27% and Power generating equipment by 49%.

Goods to the United States increased by 18%, Belgium by 24%, Switzerland by 12%, Bermuda by €119m and Spain by 5%.

Goods to Great Britain decreased by 9%, Germany by 20%, Northern Ireland by 24%, the Philippines by 67% and the Netherlands by 8%.

Imports decreased from €25,398m to €20,081m (-21%) - - Road vehicles decreased by 77%, Computer equipment by 36%, Petroleum products by 39%, Specialised machinery by 54%, Iron and steel by 58%, Telecommunications equipment by 31%, Industrial machinery by 37% and Electrical machinery by 16%.

Other transport equipment (including aircraft) increased by 92%, Organic chemicals by 6%, Power generating machinery by 17%, Professional, scientific and controlling apparatus by 5%, Animal feed by 10%, Coal by 17% and Tobacco by 28%.

Goods from Great Britain decreased by 31%, Germany by 47%, China by 26%, Japan by 53%, Italy by 33% and Belgium by 32%.

Goods from the United States increased by 30%, Canada by 38%, India by 37%, Austria by 19% and Argentina by 69%.