Exports up 6% while imports down 8% in first half of 2024 [Video]

Exports of Irish goods increased by 6% or €6.5bn during the first half of the year while imports declined 8% or €5.5bn, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The value of goods exports recorded between January and June rose to €107bn, driven by growth of €3.7bn in chemical & related products compared to the same period of 2023.

The decline in imports was, again, highlighted by a €5.6bn drop in the value of chemicals & related products being bought from abroad.

While exports to the US have increased 23% or €6.2bn this year to date, with chemicals accounting for €5.8bn of that surge, exports to Britain have declined by 13%.

For the year so far, the EU (€41.8bn) remained the largest market for Irish exports ahead of the US (€33.8bn), the rest of the world (€21.1bn), Britain (€8.3bn) and Northern Ireland (€2.5bn).

In terms of imports, the EU (€24.2m) was Ireland’s largest trading …