Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in May

Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed to EUR 3.5 billion in June 2026 from EUR 4.6 billion in the same month a year earlier. Imports jumped 19.0% year-on-year to EUR 14.7 billion, driven largely by higher purchases of office machines and automatic data processing machines (+102.3%), miscellaneous manufactured articles (+32.5%), and petroleum and petroleum products (+9.6%). Among key trading partners, imports recorded strong increases to the UK (+20.4%), the US (+51.3%), China (+31.8%), and Spain (+28.1%). Meanwhile, exports rose 7.1% to EUR 18.1 billion, lifted by increased shipments of petroleum and petroleum products (+327.6%), office machines and automatic data processing machines (+95.7%), animal oils and fats (+40.7%), and rubber and rubber products (+76.6%). Exports grew from the UK (+36.8%), Canada (+171.1%), and China (+91.1%). For the January–June period, the trade surplus EUR 24.4 billion, significantly lower compared to EUR 78.6 recorded in the same period last year.

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.