Manufacturing & Supply Chain

The latest Goods Exports and Imports statistics show that the value of goods exports from Ireland rose to €160.8 billion in 2020, the highest level on record. The value of goods exports increased by €8.3 billion or 5.4% when compared to 2019.

The US continues to be Ireland’s biggest single goods export market, accounting for €49.845 billion or 31% of total exports in 2020. The EU accounted for €63.859 billion (40%) of total exports in 2020, an increase of €7.211 billion (+13%) on 2019. As the UK had exited the EU on January 31st 2020, the data comparing EU trade in 2019 and 2020 excludes the UK for both periods for comparative purposes.

Exports to non-EU countries (excluding the UK) were valued at €82.457 billion in 2020, which is an increase of €2.360 billion (+3%) on the 2019 level of exports.

Exports to Great Britain in 2020 were €12.399 billion, which is a decrease of €1.183 billion (-9%) compared with 2019. Exports to Great Britain accounted for 8% of total exports in 2020.

The largest increase in goods exports was in Medical and Pharmaceutical Products which increased by €12.557 billion to €62.078 billion in 2020 (+25% when compared with 2019). These accounted for 39% of all exports in 2020.

Exports of Chemicals and related products increased to €1.05 billion. This represents an increase of 13.8% on the 2019 value.

The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD said: “These results show that Ireland’s export-led trading sector has proven to be extremely resilient during 2020, an unprecedented year globally. Exports are now at historically high levels. These companies employ hundreds of thousands of people here and steady tax receipts have allowed us to support struggling businesses with grants, wage subsidies, a rates holiday and a VAT cut.

“Although we also saw growth in exports to non-EU countries, the majority of the growth went to the European Union. Ireland continues to benefit from a connected, multi-beneficial trade relationship with the EU.

“The Government will continue to help companies diversify and discover new markets, while also helping our indigenous enterprise sector to weather the current challenges and adapt to Brexit.

“Our multinational sector helped Ireland recover during our last recession and will be crucial as we rebuild after the pandemic.”

Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy TD commented: “2021 is the year we make Trade Promotion a priority, because as a small open economy, trade and its promotion are key, and diversifying our export markets has never been more important. The Government is committed to strengthening our trade links and opening up new trade markets between Ireland and the rest of the world, and supporting companies to adapt and succeed in a post-Brexit environment.  While the UK will remain a major market for Irish companies, expanding the Irish export market in markets beyond the UK will continue to be a priority.”