Ireland’s Economy Some good news…. RTE News, 16 th March 2012.

Ireland’s Economy

Some good news….

RTE News, 16th March 2012

In 2011… In 2011…

Biggest ever trade surplus recorded

Exports of goods outstripped imports by €44.5 billion

Trade 2011

Exports €92.9 billion 4%Imports €48.2 billion 5%Surplus €44.7 billion 3%

Most valuable exports?• Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals

• Together, worth over €55 billion (over half of all exports)

Meat exports 15%

Dairy Products 24%

• Export figures slackened in second half of 2011

• Figures for January show a 10% increase on exports however

• Exporters say another strong year is in prospect

Ireland’s Export Markets

• US 23%• Belgium 15% (chemicals shipped through Antwerp)• UK 14%• Germany 7%

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USA Belgium UK Germany

Country

Destination of Irish Exports 2011

Imports• Imports have also risen, a sign of growing

activity in some parts of the economy

• Imports in 2011 were €12 billion below their peak in 2008, reflecting a weak domestic economy

Where do Irish Imports come from?

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UK USA Germany China

Country

Source of Ireland's Imports

•Source of Irish Imports

•UK 32%

•USA 12%

•Germany 8%

•China 6%