The value of exports continued to rise in April, new data from the Central Statistics Office showed, but imports also rose during the month.
The latest figures said seasonally adjusted imports rose 8 per cent during the month to €4.2 billion, while exports rose 4 per cent between March and April to €7.1 billion. This gave a surplus of €2.9 billion, the same as in March.
Over the first three months of 2010, exports fell 5 per cent to €20.8 billion compared to a year earlier. This was led by decreases in organic chemicals, which fell 17 per cent, and computer equipment, which slipped 42 per cent over the three-month period. Exports of other transport equipment including aircraft fell by 85 per cent.
However, exports of medical and pharmaceutical products rose by 8 per cent and metalliferous ores increased 75 per cent.
Ireland exported fewer goods to Belgium and France, while exports to Switzerland rose 6 per cent, Saudi Arabia increased 48 per cent. "The latter figure is encouraging as it shows that Irish trade is moving away from being wholly dependent on the US, UK and Eurozone for support," said Bloxham economist Alan McQuaid.
In the same three-month period, imports fell 12 per cent to €11 billion. This reflected a 54 per cent decrease in the value of imports of computer equipment, a decline in other transport equipment by 42 per cent and an 11 per cent fall in electrical machinery.
Petroleum imports rose 25 per cent, medical and pharmaceutical products increased by 19 per cent and the number of imported vehicles rose by 30 per cent. Imports from the US fell 27 per cent and the value of imports from China fell 33 per cent.
