The value of exports rose by 3 per cent in the month to €6.9 billion in July, according to seasonally adjusted trade figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
According to the CSO, in the same month the cost of imports dropped by 2 per cent to just over €4 billion, giving a trade surplus of €2.9 billion.
Over the six months to June the value of exports was €41.8 billion, up 4 per cent compared with the same period in 2003.
The cost of imports also rose over the same period, reaching €24.3 billion, nearly 3 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year.