According to the Central Statistics Office, the value of goods exports from the Republic rose by €2.2 billion (+16 per cent) to €15.5 billion in January.

The increase was driven by exports of medical and pharmaceutical products, which rose by 21 per cent to €7.2 billion, and which represented 44 per cent of the total value of exports in January.

Goods imports, meanwhile, increased by 6 per cent to €10.2 billion on the back of imports of electrical machinery and mineral fuels. This gave rise to a seasonally adjusted trade surplus of €5.3 billion in January.

The figures revealed the ongoing impact of Brexit.

Exports to Britain in January were €1.4 billion, an increase of €458 million or 48 per cent when compared with January 2021 with exports of chemicals and related products driving the increase.

Imports from Britain increased by 144 per cent to €1.8 billion compared with January 2021 with mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, Chemicals and related products, and machinery and transport equipment all up.

More here on The Irish Times story.