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Trade by Economic Sector

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The pharmaceutical sector accounted for half (50%) of the total value of exports in 2018, comprising almost €70 billion. 

Exports from the manufacturing and construction enterprises were worth €28.9 billion (21%), and exports from the agri-food sector were €17.8 billion, or 13% of total exports.

The retail and wholesale sector was the largest importer in 2018, accounting for €33.4 billion (37% of the total) of goods imported. 

The services sector, which includes aircraft leasing companies, imported €28.1 billion (31%) of goods.

X-axis labelValue of Exports
Agri/food17.7542733408037
Pharmaceutical69.4545023585099
Other manufacturing and construction28.9262236570508
Wholesale/retail10.3647956352857
Services/Other8.62792092202858
X-axis labelValue of Imports
Agri/food3.80893464309737
Pharmaceutical9.23106536198847
Other manufacturing and construction14.5542466497459
Wholesale/retail33.3998888797957
Services/Other28.1283998649338
Table 4.1 Exports and Imports by Economic Sector 2018
SectorExportsImports
Value% total Value% total
Agri/food17,754133,8094
Pharmaceutical69,455509,23110
Other Manufacturing and Construction28,9262114,55416
Wholesale/Retail10,365733,40037
Services8,628628,12831
Unknown4,47232,2402
Total 139,60010091,362100

Go to Ireland's Trade with the UK