Trade surplus falls below €3bn mark

Ireland’s seasonally adjusted trade surplus slipped for the second consecutive month in January, with preliminary figures from the CSO showing a 5% fall to €2.9bn.

It marks the first time the surplus has been below the €3bn mark since last September.

Yesterday’s weaker-than-expected trade figures detailed a 0.5% — €35m — increase in export value to €6.85bn for the month; but also a 5% — €179m — rise in import value to just over €3.96bn.