The value of Irish exports in February, when seasonally adjusted, compared to January fell by €606 million to €8,154 million.
Imports also dropped by €77 million to €4,988 million, giving an overall adjusted surplus of €3,166 million, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office this morning.
Initial indications for March show seasonally adjusted exports of €7,920 million (down €230 million on February) and imports of €4,850 million (down €140 million on February).
The corresponding unadjusted figures are exports of €8,770 million,imports of €5,110 million and a surplus of €3,660 million.
- A comparison of January and February 2002 figures with the same period in 2001 shows that:
- Exports increased from €14,703m to €15,750m (+7 per cent).
- Increases in exports were recorded for Belgium, from €640m to €2,055m (+221 per cent),Great Britain, from €2,944m to €3,793m (+29 per cent), and Switzerland, from €353m to €610m (+73 per cent).
- Exports to Germany decreased from €1,902m to €1,015m (-47 per cent )and there were significant decreases also in respect of the Netherlands and France.
- Imports decreased from €9,998m to €9,877m (-1 per cent).
- Imports from Great Britain and the USA increased from €3,026m to €3,706m (+22 per cent)and €1,571m to €1,684m (+7 per cent)respectively.
- Imports from France decreased from €488m to €362m (-26 per cent).