Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in April

Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 3.4 billion in May 2026 from EUR 12.1 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports plunged 29.1% year-on-year to EUR 16.5 billion, weighed down by a decline in shipments of medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-58.9%), chemicals and related products (-50.4%), and other transport equipment (-24.5%). Among key trading partners, exports decreased to Belgium (-35.2%), Italy (-44.8%), the Netherlands (-29.9%), and the US (-55.9%). Meanwhile, imports jumped 17.5% to EUR 13.1 billion, lifted by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (+69.9%), machinery and transport equipment (+45.7%), and telecommunications and sound recording, reproducing equipment (+32.7%). Imports increased from Germany (+5.3%), France (+17.3%), the UK (+2.7%), and the Netherlands (+4.8%). For the January–May period, the trade surplus reached EUR 21.5 billion, significantly lower compared to EUR 74 billion recorded in the same period of last year.

Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 5.3 billion in April 2026 from EUR 10.5 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports declined 13.2% year-on-year to EUR 18.5 billion, pressured by lower shipments of food and live animals (-5.7%), chemicals and related products (-34.4%), medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-27.9%), and essential oils, perfume materials, and toilet preparations (-11.9%). Among key trading partners, exports decreased to Belgium (-57.4%), Italy (-27.8%), Poland (-22.9%), and the US (-45.1%). Meanwhile, imports rose 22% to EUR 13.2 billion, driven by higher purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (41.6%), petroleum and petroleum products (54%), and machinery and transport equipment (50.5%). Imports increased from Taiwan (506%), the US (23%), and the Netherlands (22.6%). In the first four months of 2026, the trade surplus reached EUR 18.2 billion, significantly below the EUR 61.89 billion recorded in the same period of last year.

Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 4 billion in March 2026 from EUR 24.5 billion in the same month last year. Exports plunged 51.4% year-on-year to EUR 18.3 billion, weighed down by steep declines in medical and pharmaceutical products (-70%) and organic chemicals (-70.8%). However, a 439.1% surge in exports of petroleum and petroleum products partly offset these losses. The US (+24.7%), the Netherlands (+13.5%), and Great Britain (+10.7%) were the top export destinations. Meanwhile, imports rose 9.3% to EUR 14.3 billion, driven by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (+5.6%). However, this increase was partly offset by declines in imports of medical and pharmaceutical products (-29.9%) and organic chemicals (-11.4%). Ireland’s largest suppliers were the US (+13.8%) and Great Britain (+9.8%). In the first three months of the year, the trade surplus totaled EUR 12.4 billion, significantly lower than the EUR 51.3 billion recorded in the same period last year.