Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that seasonally adjusted exports for July 2005 increased by 1% from the previous month to just under €7 billion. Imports fell by 3% from €4.624 billion to €4.474 billion in the same period.
When compared with the same month the previous year, the unadjusted exports for July 2005 decreased by 2% to €6.908 billion. The year on year imports for July increased by 3% to 4.174 billion.
For the first half of 2005, exports were up 1% on the same period last year, while imports were 8% higher.
The CSO said that comparing the figures from January to June 2005 to the same time the previous year, exports to Switzerland rose by 24%, to France by 13% and to Spain from 25%. Goods exported to Belgium and the UK fell by 3%, to Germany by 5% and to the US by 2%.
Imports from the UK increased by 9%, the US by 13% and China by 23% in the six months period. Goods from France decreased by 16%.
The CSO said that in the first half of the year, exports of organic chemicals rose by 15%, while essential oils increased by 13% and petroleum and related materials surged by 88%. Medical and pharmaceutical product exports fell 5%.
Imports of petrol and related materials jumped by 46% in the first half, while imports of transport equipment including aviation were up 52%.
Davy Stockbrokers said the figures showed a rebound in goods exports in the second quarter after a decline in the first three months.
The brokers said strong goods import volumes reflected healthy consumer demand for goods not manufactured in Ireland, such as cars and other major durable goods, and a continuing recovery in machinery and equipment investment by firms.
