Preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office show that exports rose 6% in April from March, while imports fell 6%. Exports in the month came to almost €7.8 billion, while imports were €3.9 billion.
More detailed figures for the first three months of the year show exports were worth €21.8 billion, up 2% from the same period last year. Imports slumped by 20% to €12.5 billion due to the economic downturn.
Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products in the first quarter were up 19%, while chemicals exports were 18% higher, but there was a 33% fall in exports of electrical machinery and a 26% drop in computer equipment exports.
Exports to the US increased by 18%, but there was a 12% drop in exports to China, while exports to Britain were down 9%.
Imports of vehicles in Q1 plummeted by 76%, while computer equipment imports were down 33%. Imports from Germany, Britain and China were down 47%, 29% and 22% respectively.
NB economist Dr Ronnie O'Toole described Ireland's export performance over recent months as 'remarkable', saying it has been 'virtually alone' among non-oil exporting countries in increasing export levels.
He says this reflects the underlying strength of Ireland's multi-national exporters, which remain highly competitive, though indigenous exporters have fared worse. The economist says exoprts are likely to continue to outstrip imports this year, with a wave of wage cuts helping competitiveness.
Separate CSO figures showed that factory gate prices - the price of goods before they reach the consumer - fell 2.4% in May from April, mainly due to a big drop in chemicals prices. This meant there was an annual increase of 1.3% in prices overall.
