Ireland's trade with non-EU countries remained static in March relative to February 2003,with exports valued at €2,650m and imports valued at €1,427m.
The unadjusted exports were valued at €2,849m in March 2003, 9% lower than the €3,146m recorded in March 2002 while imports were valued at €1,525m, 14% lower than in March 2002.
In the case of imports, these refer to goods which are imported directly from non-EU countries. They exclude goods which originate in non-EU countries and are subsequently consigned from within the EU.
Comparing January-March 2003 with the corresponding period in 2002 exports fell by 6%. Exports of computers dropped 16% and exports of organic chemicals fell by 8% while exports of medical and pharmaceutical products were up by 35%.
Exports to the US dropped 3%, exports to Japan fell 19% and exports to Mexico increased by 48%. Exports to Norway were up by 34%.
Imports fell from fell by 13%. Imports of transport equipment other than road vehicles, which includes aviation, fell by 91% and imports of telecommunications and sound equipment decreased dropped 47%. Imports of computers increased by 9%.
Imports from the US fell by 34%, from Switzerland dropped by 34% and imports from China were up by 80%. Significant increases were also recorded for South Korea and Japan.
