Ireland Trade Surplus Drops to EUR 2.94 Billion in August 2026

Ireland recorded a trade surplus of 2.94 billion euros in August 2026, down significantly from 4.55 billion euros recorded in the same month a year earlier. The narrowing surplus was driven by a strong rise in inbound shipments alongside a minor contraction in outbound merchandise sales.

Total imports climbed 12.4% year-on-year to 12.9 billion euros. The expansion was fueled by higher purchases of petroleum products, office and automatic data processing equipment, and medical and pharmaceutical goods. Goods coming from Great Britain rose 11.9%, whereas imports from the United States dropped 21%.

Meanwhile, total exports slipped 1.2% year-on-year to 15.9 billion euros due to lower overseas demand for organic chemicals and medical and pharmaceutical products. Strong export growth in computer equipment and petroleum products helped soften the overall decline, while shipments to Great Britain and Northern Ireland gained. Market participants will be watching upcoming trade figures to see if weak US demand and rising energy imports continue to weigh on the nation's balance sheet.