Imports Down 22%

Irish Exports for 2009 were €83,477 million, down 3% from €86,394 million in 2008.

Exports to Great Britain fell from €14,300 million to €12,225 million (a drop of 15%) and to Germany from €6,089 million to €4,822 million (down 21%).

Exports to Belgium increased from €12,253 million to €14,644 million (up by 20%), to the United States from €16,674 million to €17,585 million (an increase of 5%) and to China from €2,325 million to €2,407 million (up by 4%).

Imports for 2009 were €44,809 million, down 22% from €57,585 million in 2008.

Imports from Great Britain decreased from €17,941 million to €12,663 million (a decline of 29%), Germany from €4,641 million to €3,012 million (down by 35%) and China from €4,275 million to €2,868m (down 33%).

Imports from the United States grew from €6,763 million to €7,838 million (an increase of 16%).

In December 2009 exports were €5,879 million, down €879 million (down 13%) on December 2008 and imports were €3,265 million, down €533 million.

Seasonally adjusted exports in December 2009 were €6,028 million, 4% down on November 2009, while imports were €3,479 million, down 4%. C