Early indications from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show Ireland's trade surplus fell in June.
Figures published this morning for May showed exports of €8,894 million and imports of €5,059 million, giving a surplus of €3,835 million.
But figures for June show exports dropping to €6,890 million in June, giving a surplus of €2,490 million.
Figures for the year to the end of May show exports up 9 per cent on the same period in 2001. Imports for the first five months of the year were up 2 per cent.