FX.co ★ Ireland Trade Surplus Narrows in July

Ireland's trade surplus decreased to EUR 5.2 billion in July 2025, down from EUR 6.1 billion in the same month of the previous year, as a result of exports declining more sharply than imports. Compared to the prior year, exports fell by 5.1% to EUR 17.2 billion. This drop was primarily driven by reduced sales in the medical and pharmaceutical sector, which dipped by 1.5% and constituted 40.4% of the total exports, and a significant downturn in organic chemicals, which plunged by 47.4%. In terms of export destinations, the United States continued to lead, making up 25.4% of exports, followed by the Netherlands with 12.6% and Germany at 8.6%. However, exports to the U.S. saw a year-on-year decrease of 17.2%. On the import side, there was a more modest contraction of 0.8%, amounting to EUR 12 billion, bolstered by increased purchases of medical and pharmaceutical products by 87%, organic chemicals by 35.5%, and office machines & automatic data processing machines by 40.3%. Germany emerged as the top supplier, providing 15.2% of total imports, followed by the U.S. at 14% and Great Britain at 1.3%. Notably, imports from the U.S. were reduced by 32% compared to the previous year.