Weak dollar helps pull down exports

EXPORTS fell dramatically in September, down 11% on the €7,407 million Ireland exported in August of this year, pushing the country’s surplus to €2.3 billion, its lowest level since July 2000.

The value of imports in September fell slightly to €4.3bn (from €4.4bn in August). The strong dollar has stopped export growth to Ireland’s largest export market in the US dead in its tracks. Exports to the US fell by 0.6% in the first eight months of the year.

In a statement, the Minister for Trade and Commerce Michael Ahern “reacted favourably” to the trade figures.