Enda Kenny
Question:157 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of bilateral trade between Ireland and Cuba for each of the past five years; and the trade sectors involved. [19605/04]
View answerTuesday, 29 June 2004
Questions (159)
Written answers
In 2003 trade between Cuba and Ireland reached over €1.7 million. Our trade with Cuba is modest and tends to fluctuate considerably, as shown in the following tables for the years 1999 to 2003, inclusive.
Irish exports to Cuba were valued at €521,000 in 2003. Imports from Cuba were valued at €1.265 million, an increase of 34% over 2002. Last year Ireland's principal exports were in the categories of cork and wood manufactures and beverages. Imports from Cuba in 2003 were primarily in the fruit and vegetable category, though tobacco products made up one fifth of total imports.
|
Exports €000 |
Imports €000 |
Balance €000 |
Total Trade |
|
|
1999 |
677 |
603 |
+74 |
1,280 |
|
2000 |
2,057 |
801 |
+1,256 |
2,858 |
|
2001 |
880 |
1,211 |
—331 |
2,091 |
|
2002 |
189 |
945 |
—756 |
1,134 |
|
2003 |
521 |
1,265 |
—744 |
1,786 |
The development of the Cuban market is not a major focus of Ireland's export promotion activities as trade is marginal and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. As a trading partner with Ireland, Cuba ranked No. 136 in 2003.