Source: CSO

Irish merchandise exports in 2009 were €83,477m, down 3% from €86,394m in 2008 according to the CSO today. In December 2009 exports were €5,879m, down €879m (-13%) on December 2008 and imports were €3,265m, down €533m (-13%) .

Seasonally adjusted exports in December 2009 were €6,028m, 4% down on November 2009, while imports were €3,479m, down 4% . Preliminary estimates for January 2010 show exports of €6,744m, down 3% on January 2009 and imports of €3,303m, down 16%. Seasonally adjusted exports for January 2010 were €6,914m, up 15% on December 2009. while imports were €3,170m, down 9%.

Exports for 2009 were €83,477m, down 3% from €86,394m in 2008: Computer equipment decreased from €9,329m to €6,673m (-28%); Electrical machinery decreased from €4,793m to €3,325m (-31%) and General industrial machinery from €1,211m to €862m (-29%).

Medical and pharmaceutical products increased from €16,750m to €19,559m (+17%). Organic chemicals increased from €17,816m to €18,241m (+2%) and Other transport equipment (including aviation equipment) increased from €333m to €707m (+113%).

Goods to Great Britain decreased from €14,300m to €12,225m (-15%) and to Germany from €6,089m to €4,822m (-21%).

Exports to Belgium increased from €12,253m to €14,644m (+20%), to the United States from €16,674m to €17,585m (+5%) and to China from €2,325m to €2,407m (+4%).

Belgium is the location of Europe's mian airfreight hub and Antwerp is also significant as a sefreight transhipment point.

Imports for 2009 were €44,809m, down 22% from €57,585m in 2008:Computer equipment decreased from €6,749m to €3,670m (-46%) .

Petroleum and related materials decreased from €4,913m to €3,291m (-33%) and Road vehicles from €3,228m to €892m (-72%).

The only increases in imports were in Other transport equipment (including aviation equipment), up 71% from €2,299m to €3,934m and Power generating machinery and equipment, up 14% from €626m to €715m. Imports from Great Britain decreased from €17,941m to €12,663m (-29%), Germany from €4,641m to €3,012m (-35%) and China from €4,275m to €2,868m (-33%). Goods from the United States increased from €6,763m to €7,838m (+16%).

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, T.D., welcomed the data and said that it showed "the resilience of Irish exporters in difficult times and represented a strong vindication of the Government’s work in promoting an export-led recovery."

This of course is the usual blather claiming credit for the 90% of exports made by foreign firms.

The US-owned pharma/medical device sector is responsible for over 50% of merchandise exports and its performance had nothing to do with Billy Kelleher or any of his colleagues..