The value of exports dropped 5% in the first four months of the year to €65.8 billion.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that goods exported in April dropped 1.9% or €300 million when compared to March, to €16.3 billion.
Meanwhile, the value of goods imported into the country increased by 11% to €46.3 billion between January and March.
In April alone, the value of imports into the country increased by 9.5% compared to the previous month.
Goods worth €12.1 billion were imported during the month.
Imports from Great Britain fell by 9% to €1.9 billion in April when compared to the same month last year, with the largest decreased in the imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials which fell by 43%.
Exports to Great Britain fell by 22% to €1.2 billion in the 12 month period.
"It is interesting to observe how Brexit is still playing a significant role in the trading relationship between Ireland and Great Britain when we consider that imports from Great Britain to Ireland fell by 9% to €1.9 billion in April 2023 compared with April 2022, and exports from Ireland to Great Britain fell by 22% to €1.2 billion in April 2023 from April 2022," said Janette Maxwell, Director in Tax at Grant Thornton Ireland.
The EU accounted for 43% of total goods exports in April, of which €2,123 million went to Belgium, €1,388 million went to the Netherlands and €1,020 million went to Germany.
The USA was the main non-EU destination accounting for 28% of total exports during the month.
