The value of exports grew by 6 per cent in July to just under €7.75 billion, while imports grew by 1 per cent to just over €5 billion, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The CSO also released figures for the first six months of the year that showed exports were up 6 per cent to €45.5 billion compared with the same period the previous year.
Irish exports up 6 per cent on last year's figures. Image: David Sleator.
Driving the export growth was a strong rise in sales of chemical products, which grew by 28 per cent to €10.5 billion, and beverages, which grew by 26 per cent to €597 million.
Exports of industrial machinery also grew strongly rising to €746 million, a 23 per cent rise on the same six month period in 2006.
Over the same period, imports grew at 4 per cent to €31.3 billion with transport equipment showing a 190 per cent rise to €1.9 billion, reflecting a number of sizable aircraft purchases by Irish-based airlines.
US imports rose by 18 per cent to €4.1 billion, while those from France were up 24 per cent to €1.4 billion.