A report shows that Irish-owned exporters increased their overseas sales by 10.2% last year to €11.8 billion.
A review of 2006 from the Irish Exporters Association showed that Irish-owned manufacturers recorded greater export growth than foreign-owned multinationals for the first time in more than two decades. Foreign-owned manufacturers saw their exports from Ireland drop by 1%, while Irish-owned companies saw 10% growth.
Overall, manufacturing exports - from Irish and foreign-owned firms - were flat, but services exports jumped by 15.6%. The association blamed the strong euro, competition from China and rising domestic costs for the lack-lustre manufacturing performance. Foreign-owned companies accounted for 91% of total exports.
The association's chief executive John Whelan told RTE radio that the food and drink sectors had had very good years - with 8% growth in food and 14% in drink. Mr Whelan said C&C's sales of Magners cider boosted the drink exports figure.
But exports to the UK were flat, while the exporters' report also expressed concern about a 14% dip in exports to Japan and a decline of almost 10% in China. Germany, France and the Netherlands also proved difficult markets, with falling exports, but exports to the 10 new EU countries grew by more than 12%, while the Middle East and South Africa also recorded growth.
The exporters' association is forecasting 6% growth in exports in 2007, made up of a 16% increase for services but a 1% drop for manufacturing.
