Ireland goods exports fall in May as US shipments decline

Ireland's goods exports fell sharply in May, data showed on Wednesday, as shipments to the country's largest trading partners declined, while imports edged lower.

According to the Central Statistics Office, total goods exports fell to EUR16.5 billion in May from EUR18.5 billion in April, while imports eased to EUR13.1 billion from EUR13.2 billion.

Exports to Europe declined to EUR6.0 billion from EUR6.9 billion a month earlier. Shipments to the UK fell to EUR2.1 billion from EUR2.4 billion, while exports to the US dropped to EUR4.7 billion from EUR5.1 billion. Exports to the rest of the world also declined, falling to EUR3.6 billion from EUR4.1 billion.

Imports from Europe increased to EUR4.6 billion in May from EUR4.1 billion in April. Imports from the UK and the US were unchanged at EUR1.9 billion and EUR1.6 billion, respectively, while imports from the rest of the world fell to EUR5.0 billion from EUR5.6 billion.

Chemicals and related products remained Ireland's largest export category, although exports fell to EUR8.1 billion in May from EUR9.8 billion in April.

Exports of machinery and transport equipment declined to EUR4.0 billion from EUR4.2 billion, while miscellaneous manufactured articles eased to EUR2.1 million from EUR2.2 million.

On the import side, purchases of chemicals and related products fell to EUR2.8 billion from EUR3.0 billion, while imports of machinery and transport equipment edged lower to EUR5.8 billion from EUR5.9 billion.

Imports of miscellaneous manufactured articles increased slightly to EUR1.6 million from EUR1.5 million.

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