Minister Bruton welcomes 7% increase in exports

Increase in the value of Goods exports in the first half of 2014

14th August 2014

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD, today (Thursday) welcomed the latest trade figures published by the Central Statistics Office, which show that in the last two months seasonally adjusted exports have been particularly strong. The data shows total seasonally adjusted exports in May and June 2014 are €1.4bn greater than in the same period last year, an increase of 10% in volume terms.

The main drivers of the increase were a rise in the value of exports of Organic chemicals which were up 54 % on June 2013, Professional, scientific and controlling apparatus up 27% and Food and live animals up 7%.

The figures released today show that:

· in the first six months of 2014, goods exports, at € 44 bn, were up 1.5% when compared to the same period in 2013.

The figures released today also show that exports in June to the US, which is our biggest single export market increased by 36 %, to China by 27 %, Japan by 26% when compared to June 2013.
Commenting on today’s figures Minister Bruton said:
“I welcome the positive trend in today’s export figures which shows that seasonally adjusted the value of goods exports have risen by 7% in June compared to June 2013 and also show a rise in the value of our goods exports for the first half of this year when compared to the same period last year.

Exporting companies are contributing significantly to the performance of the Irish economy. The Action Plan for jobs places a strong focus on winning abroad, growing overseas markets and assisting indigenous companies to realise their export potential. Driving enterprise and export growth, leading to job creation, will continue to be a major focus for the Government over the coming months.”