Irish trade surplus is third highest in the EU

IRELAND recorded the third highest trade surplus in the EU in the first half of this year, according to new figures just published by Eurostat — the statistical unit of the European Commission.

The data shows that only Germany and Holland generated a better trade surplus than Ireland during the first six months of 2011. Conversely, Britain recorded the largest trade deficit.

The value of British exports, between the beginning of January and the end of June amounted to €167.3 billion; but the country’s import value over the same timeframe amounted to €223bn; giving Britain a trade deficit of €56bn for the six months.