Exports from Enterprise Ireland-supported companies hit a new high of €20.6 billionbn in 2015, according to the agency. The tally for 2015 was up by 10% on the previous year and is nearly double what it was ten years ago.
EI said that significant growth was recorded in exports across all sectors and in the majority of export territories. In particular, there were increases of:
• 32% in exports for internationally traded software companies, to €1.8bn
• 21% in exports for construction and consumer companies, to €2.8bn
• 11% in exports by manufacturing companies, to €3.4bn
• 3% in exports by food companies, to €10.6bn
Exports have increased across most territories, with exports to the USA and Canada increasing by 27% to almost €3bn; exports to the UK increasing by 12%, to €7.5bn, and exports to Northern Europe increasing by 8%, to €4.2bn.
Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, commented: “Enterprise Ireland’s role is to help Irish companies export globally. The 2015 export figure demonstrates the scale of the success that Irish companies are seeing in terms of winning business at record levels internationally.
“The UK remains our largest export market, but we are seeing a trend whereby the exports to the UK as a proportion of our total client exports has declined from 45% in 2005 to 37% in 2015, as more companies have diversified their export strategies into Northern Europe, the USA and high-growth markets including China, India, the Gulf and Brazil.”
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Also responding to the EI figures was jobs minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who said: “Irish companies continue to deliver for the Irish economy and the figures announced today show the strength and capabilities of Irish companies competing at a global level.”
Enterprise Ireland clients also recorded a spend of €23.7bn in the domestic market, representing an increase of €3.4bn since 2013.
Looking ahead, Enterprise Ireland said that it is targeting a figure of €22bn in exports in 2016, but that risks remained on the horizon due to wider economic factors. Sinnamon noted that uncertainty associated with the UK referendum has already had an impact on clients exporting to the UK.
“We are hopeful that the UK will remain within Europe, but we will continue to work on our strategy over recent years of supporting our clients to diversify into new markets," she said. “Significantly, over the period 2005 to 2015 exports to eurozone countries have increased from €2.2 billion to €4.1 billion.”
