Exports from Ireland dropped 1 per cent in June, while imports fell 2 per cent, data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today shows.
As a result the economy had a trade surplus of €2.29 billion for the month, almost unchanged from €2.28 billion in May.
Between January and May 2007, exports rose 6 per cent to €37.8 billion compared with the same period in 2006.
Exports to China and Hong Kong rose by 39 per cent to €735 million during the first five months of the year.
According to the CSO, one-third of all exports from the State between January and May were either chemicals or related products, with an export value of €18.8 billion.
Exports of food products and live animals accounted for €2.9 billion in the first five months of the year, while machinery and transport equipment accounted for €8.9 billion.
In the first five months of this year imports rose 5 per cent to €26.4 billion.