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Press Statement

Preasráiteas

22 May 2019

Trade by Enterprise Characteristics 2017

Top 5 exporters account for over a quarter of all goods exports in 2017
  • The largest 5 exporters accounted for over €31 billion of goods exports in 2017, or 26% of all exports
  • Over 70% of total goods are exported by the top 50 exporting enterprises
  • The top 5 importers accounted for 16% of all goods imported in 2017
  • The top 50 importers were responsible for almost half (47%) of all imports
  • Go to release: Trade by Enterprise Characteristics 2017

    The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (22 May 2019) published Trade by Enterprise Characteristics 2017.

    This publication analyses Ireland’s goods exports and imports for 2017 focussing on the type of enterprises trading. The enterprises are classified by activity sector and employment size, with data on both the value of the trade, and the number of enterprises in each category.

    Commenting on the figures, Statistician Ciarán Counihan said: “Ireland exported over €121 billion of goods in 2017, and €31 billion of that was exported by just five enterprises.

    More than two-thirds of goods exports in 2017 were from large enterprises,and about a third (33%) of exports were from SMEs (up to 249 employees).

    Almost two-thirds (65%) of goods imports arrived to SMEs. Micro enterprises, which have less than ten employees, accounted for one-fifth of imports, while large enterprises accounted for a third of imported goods.

    The Pharmaceutical sector is the largest exporting sector, with €53 billion of exports, while the largest importing sector is Wholesale/Retail, which imported almost €27 billion in 2017.”

    For further information contact:

    Orla McCarthy (+353) 1 498 4091 or Ciaran Counihan (+353) 1 498 4215

    or email trade@cso.ie

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