The Irish Exporters Association says that although Irish exports performed relatively strongly overall last year, 2009 was one of the worst years on record for traditional Irish manufacturers.
Total exports of goods and services last year fell by just 1% to €154 billion, but this was helped by a 12% rise in pharmaceutical and chemical exports and a 4% increase in medical devices, mainly by multi-national companies based here.
IEA chief executive John Whelan said a recovery in exports would continue in 2010, but he warned that it would be a 'jobless recovery'. The IEA is forecasting 3% growth overall for 2010.
Last year, exports of goods by Irish companies fell by 9% to €13 billion, with food exports falling 14% and drink exports down 21%. Manufacturing exports dropped by 26%.
The association said exports to the UK fell by 16% from 2008, representing €2.5 billion in lost sales to Irish firms, but exports to the euro zone rose by 3%. Exports to the biggest emerging economies - Brazil, China, India and Russia - were up 1%, but there was a drop of 21% for the non-euro EU countries.
Exports to the US grew by 12%, mainly due to the pharmaceutical, chemical and medical device sectors.
The IEA warned that UK exports were unlikely to return to growth unless sterling moved back towards the 80 pence level against the euro. It is currently around 90p.
Services exports, which account for 44% of the total, fell by 1% last year to €68.4 billion, with an improved second-half performance. Financial services exports dropped 9%, while insurance services fell 11%.
