Exports and imports both increased in January of this year.
New figures from the CSO show a seasonally adjusted increase in exports of 0.5 percent to €6.85bn from December 2012; and a 5% increase in imports to nearly €4bn.
That has brought a 5% decrease in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus to €2.8bn.
Comparing January 2013 with January 2012, the value of exports decreased by 12%, mainly due to decreases in the chemical industry, and in medical and pharmaceutical products.