News

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in January
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 4.83 billion in January 2026 from EUR 13.88 billion in the same month last year. Year-on-year, exports plunged 35% to EUR 16.18 billion, weighed down by declines in medical and pharmaceutical products (-61%) and chemical and related products (-29.3%). However, a 53.6% increase in exports of electrical machinery, apparatus, and appliances helped partially offset these losses. The US (21.6%), the Netherlands (12.8%), and Great Britain (10.9%) were the top export destinations. Meanwhile, imports rose 3.1% to EUR 11.35 billion, supported by higher purchases of medical and pharmaceutical products (3%) and electrical machinery, apparatus, and appliances (24.7%). Ireland’s largest suppliers were the US (14%), Great Britain (11%), and China (10%).
Published on 2026-03-19

Ireland Trade Surplus Smallest in 2 Years
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed to EUR 2.87 billion in December 2025 from EUR 3.87 billion in the same month last year. This marked the smallest trade surplus since December 2023, as imports rose more than exports. Year-on-year, exports grew 1.7% to EUR 16 billion, supported by a 2.7% increase in medical and pharmaceutical sales, which accounted for 40% of total exports. However, a 14.1% drop in exports of organic chemicals weighed on overall shipments. Exports to the US slumped by 41.1% to EUR 3.3 billion, with chemical products comprising the bulk of shipments to that market. The US, the Netherlands, and Belgium remained the top export destinations. Meanwhile, imports rose faster at 10.7% to EUR 13.1 billion, driven by higher purchases of medical and pharmaceutical (+16.4%), organic chemicals (+6.8%), and office machines & automatic data processing machines (+89.8%). Ireland’s largest suppliers were France (12.8%), the US (12.7%), and Great Britain (10.2%).
Published on 2026-02-17

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in November
Ireland's trade surplus narrowed to EUR 5.16 billion in November 2025 from EUR 8.90 billion in the same month last year, as exports fell sharply while imports rose. Exports declined 17.1% year-on-year to EUR 17.14 billion, driven by chemicals and related products (€9.7 billion), which accounted for 43.3% of total exports, followed by machinery and transport equipment (€3.0 billion) and miscellaneous manufactured articles (€2.2 million). By market, the EU (€7.8 billion), the US (€3.9 billion), and the UK (€1.7 billion) were the largest destinations. Imports rose 7.3% to EUR 11.98 billion, led by machinery and transport equipment (€5.0 billion), chemicals and related products (€2.8 billion), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (€1.5 million). Europe (€4.1 billion), the UK (€1.9 billion), and the US (€1.7 billion) were the main suppliers.
Published on 2026-01-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in November
Ireland's trade surplus narrowed to EUR 5.16 billion in November 2025 from EUR 8.90 billion in the same month last year, as exports fell sharply while imports rose. Exports declined 17.1% year-on-year to EUR 17.14 billion, driven by chemicals and related products (EUR 9.7 billion), which accounted for 43.3% of total exports, followed by machinery and transport equipment (EUR 3.0 billion) and miscellaneous manufactured articles (EUR 2.2 million). By market, the EU (EUR 7.8 billion), the US (EUR 3.9 billion), and the UK (EUR 1.7 billion) were the largest destinations. Imports rose 7.3% to EUR 11.98 billion, led by machinery and transport equipment (EUR 5.0 billion), chemicals and related products (EUR 2.8 billion), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (EUR 1.5 million). Europe (EUR 4.1 billion), the UK (EUR 1.9 billion), and the US (EUR 1.7 billion) were the main suppliers.
Published on 2026-01-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in November
Ireland's trade surplus narrowed to EUR 5.16 billion in November 2025 from EUR 8.90 billion in the same month last year, as exports fell sharply while imports rose. Exports declined 17.1% year-on-year to EUR 17.14 billion, driven by chemicals and related products (€9.7 billion), which accounted for 43.3% of total exports, followed by machinery and transport equipment (€3.0 billion) and miscellaneous manufactured articles (€2.2 million). By market, the EU (€7.8 billion), the US (€3.9 billion), and the UK (€1.7 billion) were the largest destinations. Imports rose 7.3% to EUR 11.98 billion, led by machinery and transport equipment (EUR 5.0 billion), chemicals and related products (EUR 2.8 billion), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (EUR 1.5 million). Europe (EUR 4.1 billion), the UK (EUR 1.9 billion), and the US (EUR 1.7 billion) were the main suppliers.
Published on 2026-01-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in November
Ireland's trade surplus narrowed to EUR 5.16 billion in November 2025 from EUR 8.90 billion in the same month last year, as exports fell sharply while imports rose. Exports dropped 17.1% year-on-year to EUR 17.14 billion, mainly driven by a 28.7% decline in chemicals and related products, which accounted for 43.3% of total exports. Meanwhile, imports increased 7.3% to EUR 11.98 billion, led by substantial rises in machinery and transport equipment (12.9%), while imports of chemicals and related products fell 10.0%.
Published on 2026-01-15

Ireland Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 10 Months
Ireland's trade surplus narrowed to EUR 4.35 billion in October 2025 from EUR 9.49 billion in the same month last year. This was the smallest surplus since December 2024, amid a sharp fall in exports and a rise in imports. Exports dropped by 21.6% to EUR 16.62 billion, dragged mainly by a 36.2% decline in medical and pharmaceutical products, which accounted for 42.2% of total exports. Among key partners, exports to Great Britain (-3.7%) fell, while shipments increased to the US (25.6%), the Netherlands (10.8%), and Belgium (10.3%). Meanwhile, imports rose 4.7% to EUR 12.27 billion, led by substantial increases in purchases of organic chemicals (58.7%) and office machines and automatic data-processing equipment (133.2%). Ireland’s top import partners were the US (13.6%), Great Britain (11.7%), and Germany (9.3%). For the first ten months of 2025, exports grew 22% to EUR 228.46 billion, with 45.7% of all goods shipped to the US. Imports rose 5.6% to EUR 117.29 billion.
Published on 2025-12-17

Ireland Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 10 Months
Ireland's trade surplus narrowed to EUR 4.35 billion in October 2025 from EUR 9.49 billion in the same month last year. This was the smallest surplus since December 2024, amid a sharp fall in exports and a rise in imports. Exports dropped 21.6% year-on-year to EUR 16.62 billion, dragged mainly by a 36.2% decline in medical and pharmaceutical products, which accounted for 42.2% of total exports. Among key partners, exports to Great Britain (-3.7%) fell, while shipments increased to the US (25.6%), the Netherlands (10.8%), and Belgium (10.3%). Meanwhile, imports rose 4.7% to EUR 12.27 billion, led by substantial increases in purchases of organic chemicals (58.7%) and office machines and automatic data-processing equipment (133.2%). Ireland’s largest suppliers were the US (13.6%), Great Britain (11.7%), and Germany (9.3%). For the first ten months of 2025, exports grew 22% to EUR 228.46 billion, with 45.7% of all goods shipped to the US, while imports rose 5.6% to EUR 117.29 billion.
Published on 2025-12-17

Ireland Trade Surplus Largest in 6 Months
Ireland's trade surplus widened to EUR 17.37 billion in September 2025 from EUR 11.56 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. This was the largest surplus since March, as exports soared 27.8% year-on-year to EUR 28.5 billion, boosted primarily by a 73.6% increase in medical and pharmaceutical products, which accounted for 65.5% of total exports. Shipments to the US surged 126% to EUR 16.3 billion, with chemical and related products, including medical and pharmaceutical goods, making up over 90% of exports to that market. The US, the Netherlands, and Great Britain remained Ireland’s top export destinations. Meanwhile, imports rose 3.7% year-on-year to EUR 11.13 billion, driven mainly by higher purchases of office machinery and automatic data-processing equipment (61.5%), which partially offset declines in medical and pharmaceutical products (-7.7%) and organic chemicals (-26.8%). Ireland’s largest suppliers were the US (16.1%), Great Britain (11.7%), and China (9.9%).
Published on 2025-11-19

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in August
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed to €5.25 billion in August 2025 from €6.25 billion a year earlier, as exports fell more sharply than imports. Total exports declined 6.7% to €16.2 billion, driven by a 20.4% drop in medical & pharmaceutical products to €6.5 billion, partly offset by a 35.7% surge in organic chemicals to €2 billion. Exports to the US slumped 38.5% to €4.1 billion due to a sharp fall in chemical shipments, while sales to the EU rose 24.6% to €7.7 billion. The US, Netherlands, and Germany remained Ireland’s top export markets. Imports edged 1.5% lower to €11 billion, with reduced purchases of pharmaceuticals (-12.3%) and machinery (-22.8%) partly offset by higher imports of organic chemicals (+21.8%). The US, Great Britain, and Germany were Ireland’s largest suppliers, accounting for nearly 40% of total imports.
Published on 2025-10-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in July
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed to EUR 5.2 billion in July 2025, compared with EUR 6.1 billion in the same month of the previous year, as exports dropped more than imports. Year-on-year, exports declined by 5.1% to EUR 17.2 billion, mainly due to lower sales of medical and pharmaceutical products (-1.5%), which accounted for 40.4% of total exports, followed by organic chemicals (-47.4%). By destination, the US remained the top market, accounting for 25.4% of exports, followed by the Netherlands (12.6%) and Germany (8.6%), with exports to the US declining 17.2% year-on-year. Meanwhile, imports fell at a softer 0.8% to EUR 12 billion, supported by increased purchases of medical and pharmaceutical products (87%),organic chemicals (35.5%), and office machines & automatic data processing machines (40.3%). Germany was the largest supplier, representing 15.2% of total imports, followed by the US (14%) and Great Britain (1.3%), with imports from the US dropping 32% year-on-year.
Published on 2025-09-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Edges Up in June
Ireland's trade surplus widened slightly to €5.3 billion in June of 2025, compared with €5.1 billion in the same month last year. Exports rose 4.8% year-on-year to €17.5 billion, driven by medical & pharmaceutical products (+8.9%), which accounted for 41.4% of total exports, and office machines & automatic data processing machines (+204.5%). Exports of organic chemicals fell 29.9%. By destination, the US remained the top market, accounting for 24.9% of exports, followed by the Netherlands (13.9%) and Belgium (10.1%), with exports to the US declining 23.4% year-on-year. Imports rose 5.6% year-on-year to €12.3 billion, led by medical & pharmaceutical products (+70.7%), office machines & adp machines (+41.8%) and organic chemicals (+3.5%). Germany was the largest supplier, representing 12.7% of total imports, followed by the US (12.6%) and France (12.1%). Imports from the US dropped 24.7% year-on-year, while imports from the UK fell 11.8%.
Published on 2025-08-15

Ireland Trade Surplus Surges
Ireland's trade surplus widened to €12.6 billion in May of 2025 from €7 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. The jump was owed to a 29% surge in exports to €23.3 billion, the sharpest on record for the month of May, lifted by an 86% surge in exports to the United States as the major firms and production plants in Ireland aimed to ship goods before US president Trump enforced tariffs on the European Union. Of those goods, most of the exports were chemicals and related products (€9.4 billion), with a significant portion of those belonging to the medical and pharmaceutical industry, which was recently threatened with more tariffs. In turn, imports fell by 3% to €10.7 billion amid a 22% decline in foreign purchases from the US, largely on lower inputs of chemicals and related products at €0.9 billion.
Published on 2025-07-17

Ireland’s Trade Surplus Widens in April
Ireland’s trade surplus widened to €11.1 billion in April 2025, up from €8.6 billion a year earlier. Exports rose 12.7% year-on-year to €21.9 billion, driven mainly by a 23.6% surge in medical and pharmaceutical products to €10.9 billion. In the first four months of the year, pharmaceutical exports soared, making up 60.2% of total shipments—largely to the US, as American multinationals rushed to get ahead of Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs. Meanwhile, imports dipped 0.2% to €10.8 billion, weighed down by sharp declines in organic chemicals (-30.1% to €0.5 billion) and office machines/data processing equipment (-3.9% to €0.8 billion). These were partly offset by a 106.3% jump in medical and pharmaceutical imports to €1.8 billion, which accounted for 17% of total imports. Imports from Great Britain rose 4.8%, representing 12.4% of the total.
Published on 2025-06-17

Ireland’s Trade Surplus Triples in March
Ireland’s trade surplus widened sharply to €24.8 billion in March 2025, more than tripling from €7.4 billion in the same month last year. Exports surged 94.3% year-on-year to €37.3 billion, driven largely by soaring sales of medical and pharmaceutical products, (243.3% to EUR 23.6 billion), accounting for 63.3% of total outbound shipments. Main exporting partners included the US (68.2% of total exports), followed by the Netherlands (4.4%) and Great Britain (3.4%). Meanwhile, imports rose more modestly, up 5.4% to €12.5 billion, mainly due to higher purchases of medical and pharmaceutical products (175.4% to €2.6 billion), representing 21.1% of total imports. Goods from Great Britain went up 4.4%, representing 12.6% of overall imports.
Published on 2025-05-15

Irish Trade Surplus Doubles in February
Ireland’s trade surplus widened sharply to €12.8 billion in February 2025, more than doubling from €5.7 billion in the corresponding month last year. Exports surged 54.3% year-on-year to EUR 24.6 billion, boosted by higher sales for medical and pharmaceutical products (145.7% to EUR 15.6 billion), accounting for 63.2% of total outbound shipments. Main exporting partners included the US (52.5% of total exports), followed by the Netherlands (7.7%) and Germany (6.2%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 14.5% to EUR 11.8 billion, driven mainly by increased purchases from medical and pharmaceutical products (84.2% to EUR 2 billion), which made up 17.2% of total inbound trade. Imports from the US went up 18.4%, representing 39.7% of overall imports.
Published on 2025-04-15

Ireland Posts Record Trade Surplus
Ireland’s trade surplus jumped to a record EUR 13.8 billion in January 2025 from EUR 9.2 billion in the corresponding month a year earlier. Exports soared 28.2% year-on-year to a fresh high of USD 24.2 billion, driven by a 68% surge in medical and pharmaceutical product sales, which made up 61% of total outbound shipments. Exports to the US climbed 81.4%, accounting for 48.4% of total exports, while those to the EU rise 10.8% to hold a 32.4% share. Meanwhile, imports grew at a slower 8.4% to an eleven-month low of EUR 10.5 billion. The increase was largely due to a 72.3% advance in medical and pharmaceutical purchases, which comprised 16.6% of total inbound trade. Goods from Great Britain went up 9.2%, representing 13.2% of overall imports.
Published on 2025-03-18

Irish Trade Surplus Widens in December
Ireland’s trade surplus widened to EUR 3.8 billion in December 2024 from EUR 1.8 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. Year-on-year, exports climbed by 13% to EUR 15.5 billion, driven by higher sales for medical and pharmaceutical products (8% to EUR 6.3 billion), accounting for 40% of total exports, followed by electrical machinery, apparatus, and appliances (46% to EUR 1.15 billion). Main exporting partners included the EU (35.8% of total exports), followed by the US (33.5%) and Great Britain (6.5%). Meanwhile, imports dropped by 3% to EUR 11.7 billion, weighed down by lower sales of organic chemicals (-57% to EUR 0.55 billion). Imports from the EU made up 39% of the total value of imports.
Published on 2025-02-17

Irish Trade Surplus Rises to November Record
Ireland’s trade surplus surged to EUR 8.9 billion in November of 2024 from the EUR 1.9 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, the widest on record for the month. Exports soared by 28% from the previous year, amid a 103% surge from sales to the United States. Exports rose for medical and pharmaceutical products (63% to EUR 11 billion), accounting for more than half of total exports, while exports also soared for office machines and automatic data processing machines (82% to EUR 754 million). In turn, imports sank by 18% from the previous year amid a 46% drop from the United States and a 34% plunge from Northern Ireland. Purchases were lower for other transport equipment and aircraft (-63% to EUR 961 million).
Published on 2025-01-15

Irish Trade Surplus Widens
Ireland’s trade surplus widened to EUR 9.9 billion in October of 2024 from EUR 6 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year amid a surge in exports and a contraction in imports. Sales to foreign markets soared by 21% from the previous year to EUR 21.2 billion, lifted by shipments of medical and pharmaceutical products (49% to EUR 11.1 billion), which accounted for more than half of total exports, in addition to higher sales of electrical machinery, apparatus, and appliances (64% to EUR 1.1 billion). In turn, imports fell by 2% to EUR 11.3 billion, as lower purchases of organic chemicals (-69% to 375 EUR million) offset higher imports for medical and pharmaceutical intakes (53% to EUR 2.1 billion).
Published on 2024-12-16