Irish goods exports decreased by 32% during April
The amount of goods exported out of Ireland decreased by 32% in April when compared to March, seasonally adjusted figures released by the CSO show.
Goods exports decreased by €5,400bn to €11,613m in April, according to preliminary figures.
Imports saw an 11% decline during the same period.
Seasonally adjusted goods imports decreased by €735m to €5,834m.
Exports of organic chemicals decreased by 14% to €1,666m in April 2020 when compared to April 2019.
Exports of professional, scientific and controlling apparatus decreased by 22%.
Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products increased by €260m to €4,872 million, accounting for 42% of total exports.
Exports of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances increased by €182m (33%) to €738m over the same comparative period.
As for imports, the importation of transport equipment, including aircraft, decreased by 76% in April 2020 compared with April 2019.
Imports of petroleum decreased by 54% to €211m.
However, imports of professional, scientific and controlling apparatus increased by €83 million, up 51%, to €247 million, which was understandable given the Covid-19 pandemic.
Exports to Great Britain fell by €300m in April, however, imports from the UK were relatively unchanged, only decreasing by €2m (a 0.2% fall) compared to April last year.
The EU accounted for €4,186m or 36% Ireland's of total goods exports in April 2020, of which €1,310m went to Belgium and €1,092m went to Germany.
The USA was the main non-EU destination for Ireland's exports, accounting for €3,834m (33%) of total exports in April 2020.