News & Events

Goods exports up 20% year-on-year – Minister Richard Bruton

2015 a record year for exports and imports

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD, today (Monday) welcomed the latest trade figures from the Central Statistics Office, which show that the value of goods exports for 2015 totalled €111,038 million, and was up 20% compared with 2014.

The main drivers behind this increase were exports of Medical and pharmaceutical products up by €7,945 million (+36%) to €30,174 million and exports of Food and live animals and beverages and tobacco to USA increased by €255 million (+51%) to €758 million.

The figures also show that the preliminary trade surplus for 2015 was €44,015 million, which is the largest surplus on record.

Commenting on today’s figures Minister Bruton said:

“At the heart of our jobs plan is building a new sustainable economy based on enterprise and exports. During my time as Minister, we have seen major progress on this, with consistent growth in exports driving a strong employment recovery. Over 135,000 extra jobs have been created since we launched the Action Plan for Jobs in early 2012, with the exporting sectors accounting for almost half of this growth. It is crucial of course that, alongside continued strong performance in exports, the domestic economy continues to grow and continues to create sustainable jobs.  

“Today’s figures show a continued positive trend in export figures and this is very welcome. With strong implementation of our plan, I am convinced we can continue to see progress until we achieve sustainable full employment in the coming years”.

ENDS

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DJEI Press Office, 01 631 2200 or press.office@djei.ie