Irish exports rose by 5% to €11.5bn last year despite the impact of foot and mouth disease and 11 September. This is according to Enterprise Ireland, the agency responsible for domestic industry.
The agency says in its end of year statement that 14,000 new jobs were created. However, taking job losses into account, the net increase was just 1,000.
Non-food exports rose by 9%. Exports to Ireland's largest trading partner, the UK, rose by 4%. The agency also says that Asia is growing in importance as a market for Irish companies.
However, the sharp downturn in the US economy slowed the rate of sales growth there. Enterprise Ireland says that it is stepping up its support for this area in response to the slowdown.
That includes opening a new office in Washington DC. The agency says that trading conditions will be difficult this year, especially in the first six months.
