Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 3.4 billion in May 2026 from EUR 12.1 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports plunged 29.1% year-on-year to EUR 16.5 billion, weighed down by a decline in shipments of medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-58.9%), chemicals and related products (-50.4%), and other transport equipment (-24.5%). Among key trading partners, exports decreased to Belgium (-35.2%), Italy (-44.8%), the Netherlands (-29.9%), and the US (-55.9%). Meanwhile, imports jumped 17.5% to EUR 13.1 billion, lifted by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (+69.9%), machinery and transport equipment (+45.7%), and telecommunications and sound recording, reproducing equipment (+32.7%). Imports increased from Germany (+5.3%), France (+17.3%), the UK (+2.7%), and the Netherlands (+4.8%). For the January–May period, the trade surplus reached EUR 21.5 billion, significantly lower compared to EUR 74 billion recorded in the same period of last year. source: Central Statistics Office Ireland

Ireland recorded a trade surplus of 3394068 EUR Thousand in May of 2026. Balance of Trade in Ireland averaged 1942300.99 EUR Thousand from 1970 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 24495294.00 EUR Thousand in March of 2025 and a record low of -280890.00 EUR Thousand in January of 1982. This page provides the latest reported value for - Ireland Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Ireland Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

Ireland recorded a trade surplus of 3394068 EUR Thousand in May of 2026. Balance of Trade in Ireland is expected to be 15700000.00 EUR Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Ireland Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 4310000.00 EUR Thousand in 2027 and 4380000.00 EUR Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-17 10:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Apr €5.3B €3.9B €6.5B
2026-07-15 10:00 AM
Balance of Trade
May €3.4B €5.2B €7.0B
2026-08-18 10:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Jun €3.4B € 5.2B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 3394068.00 5242226.00 EUR Thousand May 2026
Capital Flows 1170.00 8641.00 EUR Million Mar 2026
Current Account 17442.00 12807.00 EUR Million Mar 2026
Exports 16464376.00 18608093.00 EUR Thousand May 2026
External Debt 3381954.00 3240754.00 EUR Million Mar 2026
Foreign Direct Investment 25451.00 10809.00 EUR Million Mar 2026
Imports 13070308.00 13365867.00 EUR Thousand May 2026
Terms of Trade 86.20 86.00 points May 2026


Ireland Balance of Trade
Ireland posts regular trade surpluses since 1985. Its main exports are chemicals and related products, machinery, and food and live animals. In the meantime, its main imports are machinery, transport equipment, and fuel. Ireland's main exporting partners are the United States, other EU member-states, and Great Britain. On the other hand, the majority of imports are from the rest of the world, mainly due to energy purchases, followed by other EU states.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3394068.00 5242226.00 24495294.00 -280890.00 1970 - 2026 EUR Thousand Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in May
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 3.4 billion in May 2026 from EUR 12.1 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports plunged 29.1% year-on-year to EUR 16.5 billion, weighed down by a decline in shipments of medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-58.9%), chemicals and related products (-50.4%), and other transport equipment (-24.5%). Among key trading partners, exports decreased to Belgium (-35.2%), Italy (-44.8%), the Netherlands (-29.9%), and the US (-55.9%). Meanwhile, imports jumped 17.5% to EUR 13.1 billion, lifted by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (+69.9%), machinery and transport equipment (+45.7%), and telecommunications and sound recording, reproducing equipment (+32.7%). Imports increased from Germany (+5.3%), France (+17.3%), the UK (+2.7%), and the Netherlands (+4.8%). For the January–May period, the trade surplus reached EUR 21.5 billion, significantly lower compared to EUR 74 billion recorded in the same period of last year.
2026-07-15
Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in April
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 5.3 billion in April 2026 from EUR 10.5 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports declined 13.2% year-on-year to EUR 18.5 billion, pressured by lower shipments of food and live animals (-5.7%), chemicals and related products (-34.4%), medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-27.9%), and essential oils, perfume materials, and toilet preparations (-11.9%). Among key trading partners, exports decreased to Belgium (-57.4%), Italy (-27.8%), Poland (-22.9%), and the US (-45.1%). Meanwhile, imports rose 22% to EUR 13.2 billion, driven by higher purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (41.6%), petroleum and petroleum products (54%), and machinery and transport equipment (50.5%). Imports increased from Taiwan (506%), the US (23%), and the Netherlands (22.6%). In the first four months of 2026, the trade surplus reached EUR 18.2 billion, significantly below the EUR 61.89 billion recorded in the same period of last year.
2026-06-17
Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in March
Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 4 billion in March 2026 from EUR 24.5 billion in the same month last year. Exports plunged 51.4% year-on-year to EUR 18.3 billion, weighed down by steep declines in medical and pharmaceutical products (-70%) and organic chemicals (-70.8%). However, a 439.1% surge in exports of petroleum and petroleum products partly offset these losses. The US (+24.7%), the Netherlands (+13.5%), and Great Britain (+10.7%) were the top export destinations. Meanwhile, imports rose 9.3% to EUR 14.3 billion, driven by higher purchases of petroleum and petroleum products (+5.6%). However, this increase was partly offset by declines in imports of medical and pharmaceutical products (-29.9%) and organic chemicals (-11.4%). Ireland’s largest suppliers were the US (+13.8%) and Great Britain (+9.8%). In the first three months of the year, the trade surplus totaled EUR 12.4 billion, significantly lower than the EUR 51.3 billion recorded in the same period last year.
2026-05-15