The latest trade figures from the Central Statistics Office show that goods exports were up 9% in May 2014 compared to May 2013, now standing at €7.87 billion.
Exports to the US increased by 30% and to China by 29%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the figures also showed that May 2014 figures were up 15% on April 2014.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD welcomed the figures, citing a rise in the value of exports of organic chemicals (up 14%) and medical and pharmaceutical products (up 12%) as the main drivers of the increase.
Commenting on the figures, Minister Bruton said: “At the heart of our Action Plan for Jobs is building a new sustainable economy based on exports and enterprise, and over the past three years we have seen strong performances in the exporting parts of the economy, with more than 25,000 jobs added.
“Today’s figures are very encouraging, with goods exports showing impressive year-on-year and month-on-month growth. What is particularly encouraging is that they appear to be driven by the pharmaceutical sector which has faced such challenges in recent months.
"These figures come on the back of the announcement by Enterprise Ireland last week that Irish exporting companies grew their exports by 8% in 2013. We have put in place measures to support companies to sell more goods and services abroad from Ireland”
