Irish trade surplus dips in March as imports grow faster than exports
Ireland’s trade surplus decreased a bit in March despite an increase in exports, data published by the Central Statistics Office showed Friday.
The country’s trade surplus fell 2.7% to €3.59 billion in March from €3.70 billion in February.
Exports rose 4.8% to €16.70 billion from €15.94 billion, while imports climbed 7.0% to €13.11 billion from €12.25 billion.
Jane Burmanje, Statistician in the International Trade in Goods Division said: ‘The value of goods exported from Ireland in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by €37.6 billion, down 43% to €49.9 billion when compared with Q1 2025, €87.4 billion. However, Q1 2025 saw a record level of exports, driven by exports of €37.6 billion recorded in March 2025, the highest level of goods exported in any one month to date.’
Ireland’s trade surplus with the rest of the EU fell 4.2% to €2.83 billion in March 2026 from €2.95 billion in February.
The country’s trade surplus with the US however jumped 20% to €2.52 billion from €2.10 billion.
Ireland’s trade surplus with the UK rose to €590 million from just €84 million.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s trade deficit with the rest of the world increased to €1.98 billion in March from €534 million in February.
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