The Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. Statistics for Ireland’s goods exports to, and goods imports from, Great Britain for the first five months of 2019 and 2020 and for the first three months of 2021 are contained in the tables below. Statistics for April and May 2021 are not yet available.
|
-
|
Exports to Great Britain €million
|
Imports from Great Britain €million
|
|
January 2019
|
1,054
|
1,623
|
|
February 2019
|
1,080
|
1,531
|
|
March 2019
|
1,140
|
1,693
|
|
April 2019
|
1,181
|
1,409
|
|
May 2019
|
1,300
|
1,397
|
|
-
|
Exports to Great Britain €’000
|
Imports from Great Britain €’000
|
|
January 2020
|
1,084
|
1,385
|
|
February 2020
|
954
|
1,373
|
|
March 2020
|
1,077
|
1,447
|
|
April 2020
|
724
|
1,148
|
|
May 2020
|
959
|
1,232
|
|
-
|
Exports to Great Britain €’000
|
Imports from Great Britain €’000
|
|
January 2021
|
953
|
556
|
|
February 2021
|
864
|
655
|
|
March 2021
|
1,215
|
992
|
The performance of the import and export sectors has been significantly impacted over the last three years by both Brexit and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Brexit has fundamentally changed the trading relationship between Ireland and the UK and will continue to impact that trading relationship. The Government has been working to prepare for Brexit for several years – with intensive effort across many Departments and Agencies, including legislation, supports for business and other sectors, stakeholder outreach and widespread public communications to promote readiness. My Department and the Enterprise Agencies provide a significant number of Brexit supports including planning vouchers, consultancy and mentoring supports, the Enterprise Ireland Ready for Customs Grant of up to €9,000, as well as financial supports for adapting and restructuring business models and grants for research into new markets to assist companies respond to the new trading environment.
The long-term response to Brexit is for companies across all sectors to become more competitive, more innovative and to diversify their export footprint into more international markets. My Department’s 2021 budget allocation of €1.13bn represents an increase of €154 million or 15.9% on the 2020 allocation. This is in addition to €100 million earmarked from the Recovery Fund for Brexit. This is a record allocation and will significantly bolster the capability of our enterprise and regulatory agencies to help businesses examine their Brexit exposure, seek advice, avail of customs training and make plans to protect their business.
Since January 2021, Enterprise Ireland has engaged with client companies through surveys and focus groups to understand the impacts for companies on the new trading relationship with the UK. Companies across all sectors identified common challenges such as the potential disruption from Import Checks which are set to begin in October; supplier issues and transport and logistics; and general competitiveness of businesses because Brexit – related customs procedures and added supply chain costs have increased the costs to businesses. Businesses are however gradually adjusting to the new trading realities, finding alternative supply chains and are being encouraged to find new markets for their products.
While Enterprise Ireland clients are continuing to diversify their export markets, the UK market remains their largest export market. In 2019, Enterprise Ireland clients reported €7.9 billion in exports to the UK, representing 31 per cent of total client exports. Enterprise Ireland remains committed to working with client companies to assist them sustain and grow their business, both in the UK, and through market diversification. This will be delivered through a comprehensive programme of funding, advice and in-market supports to get customs ready, remain competitive in the UK and identify future growth opportunities.
