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# Goods
Value of Irish exports fell by almost half a billion between December and January
However, they saw a year-on-year increase of 4 per cent in January.
EXPORTS WEAKENED SLIGHTLY at the start of this year compared to 2013, with the value of exports falling close to half a billion to €7.218 billion (6 per cent).
This has resulted in A 9 per cent fall in Ireland’s trade surplus for that month according to CSO figures released today.
Ireland also imported close to double the amount of ‘petroleum products and related materials’ than January 2013, increasing 42 per cent to €137 million.
However, compared with January 2013, the value of exports in the same month this year increased 4 per cent to €7.031 billion.
Chemical products
Other increases include exports of chemical products by 6 per cent, and organic chemicals by 15 per cent.
Exports of food and live animals increased by 9 per cent, worth €59 million.
Speaking during a trade mission to Italy, Minister Richard Bruton welcomed the announce, noting that it represents “strong export performance”, but stressed that “challenges remain”.
“I believe that generating sustainable broad based export-led growth is essential to rebuilding our economy”
Ireland’s top five destinations for exports in January this year were:
- USA (€1,635m)
- Great Britain (€897m)
- Belgium (€856m)
- Switzerland (€446m)
- Germany (€441m)
Imports were mainly from:
- Great Britain (€1,483m)
- USA (€425m)
- Germany (€388m)
- China (€292m)
- Japan (€243m)
Read: Value of Irish food and drink exports nearly €10 billion in 2013 >
