Carol Lynch: What happened to Irish exports in the decade after Brexit?

Brexit did not sever the deep commercial ties between our two islands  but it fundamentally changed how that trade happens — and how it now needs to be managed

The UK remains an indispensable first step for Irish exporters, and the macro data over the last decade tells a fascinating story. Picture: Colin Keegan

Ten years on from the high political drama of the Brexit vote, Ireland and the UK's economic relationship remains as important as ever — but trading between the two countries is no longer the straightforward affair it once was.

Brexit did not sever the deep commercial ties between our two islands. For the indigenous and mid-market sectors in particular, the UK market remains a cornerstone of growth. What Brexit did do, however, was fundamentally change how that trade happens — and how it now needs to be managed.