Irish exports to countries outside the EU fell by 4% last year while imports dropped by 3%, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The CSO said the downturn was 'significantly influenced' by a drop in trade of machinery and transport equipment, though this was partly offset by improvements in trade of chemicals and related products.
In December, non-EU exports were valued at €2,512m, 14% higher than in the same month in 2002, while imports grew by 6% to €1,606m.
A breakdown of the figures for 2003 showed that exports of medical and pharmaceutical products were 27% lower than in 2002, while computer exports fell 16%. Exports to the US rose by 3%, but those to Japan were down 19%.
The biggest import falls were in the other transport equipment sector - which includes aviation but not road vehicles - and in telecommunications.
Separate CSO figures showed that the seasonally adjusted volume of industrial production for the final quarter of last year was 6.1% higher than in Q3. Production in December was 17% higher than in teh same month in 2002.
