Ireland’s trade surplus set to beat 2009 figure

IRELAND’S total trade surplus for 2010 is still expected to beat that of last year despite a disappointing 20% drop in June, the latest month for which figures are available.

Those latest monthly external trade figures – published yesterday by the CSO – show that the value of exports from Ireland declined by 5% in June, compared to May, while import value rose by 12%.

This pattern led to a drop in the monthly trade surplus from just over €4 billion (which equated to a 40% increase in May) to €3.2bn.