Irish exports up 7.4% in May
Irish exports rose by €518m to €7.5bn in May, a 7.4% increase on April, according to preliminary figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Imports increased by €515m or 15% leaving the seasonally adjusted trade surplus static at €3.451bn for the month.
The CSO said chemicals and related products accounted for €4.5bn or 60% of the total
exports of €7.5bn in May 2012.
On an overall basis the EU accounted for €4.4bn or 58%) of total exports in May 2012 with Great Britain, Belgium and Germany accounting for 36%.
The USA was the main destination for exports outside the EU accounting for 23%.
On a year-on-year basis, imports increased by €268m or 7% compared with May of last year.
This was mainly due to an increase of €208m in the imports of Otherr transport equipment (including aircraft), the CSO said.
