Exports totalled €18.5bn, down €2.8bn or 13.2% compared with April 2025 (€21.3bn).
Imports rose to €13.2bn, an increase of €2.4bn or 22%, compared with €10.8bn a year earlier. Seasonally adjusted figures showed a monthly improvement, with exports rising €1.5bn (+8.9%) to €18.2bn and imports up €238.9m (+1.8%) to €13.3bn.
Trade flows with key partners showed significant divergence.
Exports to the United States fell €4.2bn, or 45.1%, to €5.1bn, while shipments to Great Britain rose €645.1m, or 51.7%, to €1.9bn.
The pharmaceutical sector was a major driver of the overall decline, with exports of medical and pharmaceutical products dropping €3.0bn, or 27.9%, to €7.8bn.
Energy-related trade moved in the opposite direction, with imports of petroleum and related materials rising 54% to €537.7m, while exports of the same category surged 224% to €167.9m.
Robert Purdue, Head of Client Portfolio Management at Ebury, said: “Today’s trade figures point to a continued reshaping of Ireland’s export landscape.”
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He noted that while overall exports remain below last year’s levels, the sharp fall in shipments to the United States reflects ongoing trade tensions and shifting tariff dynamics, particularly in pharmaceuticals.
“On a positive note, the strong growth in exports to Great Britain demonstrates how quickly Irish businesses are adapting to changing global trade dynamics.”
Energy-related exports also surged, with petroleum products more than tripling year-on-year, likely linked to increased demand amid geopolitical disruptions.
“Irish exporters are navigating a complex and uncertain macroeconomic environment.”
While the Iran conflict appears to be moving towards a potential resolution, uncertainty remains, and recent disruption has already pushed up energy and shipping costs, with inflation risks persisting as the European Central Bank considers further interest rate increases.
* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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