Irish December exports fall sharply

Exports from Ireland fell sharply in December amid an economic slowdown in the United States and the strength of the euro.

According to data released this morning by the Central Statistics Office, the value of exports in December was €6.2 billion, down 17 per cent on the previous months.

With imports also falling, dropping 13 per cent to €4.9 billion, the seasonally adjusted trade surplus was €1.3 billion, the lowest since July 2000.

Over the first 11 months of 2007, Irish exports grew by 4 per cent to just under €82.8 billion, compared with the same period in 2006.

During the same period, the value of imports grew 3 per cent to €57.1 billion.