Imports Down In September

Seasonally adjusted imports fell by 5% in September relative to August 2008. Relative to July 2008, imports fell by 11% in August. Exports held steady over the three months June to September 2008.

On an unadjusted basis, the value of imports in September 2008 was down 11% on September 2007, while the value of exports was down 1%.

The value of imports in August 2008 was down 17%, and the value of exports was down 6% on August 2007.

The January-August figures for 2008 when compared with those of 2007 show that exports decreased from €59,818m to €57,277m (down by 4%) with computer equipment falling by 26%, organic chemicals by 8%, general industrial machinery by 13% and metalliferous ores by 20%.

The export of chemical materials increased by 38%, medical and pharmaceutical exports grew by 9%, and the export of petroleum products was up 53%.

Imports decreased from €41,820m to €39,065m (down by 7%) with imports from Britain falling by 5%, China by 17%, France by 17%, Taiwan by 31%, Japan by 23%, Norway by 20% and Germany by 9%.

Imports from Denmark increased by 43%, the Netherlands by 8%, Poland by 49%, the United States by 2% and Finland by 36%.