Imports from Great Britain fell by 65% in January 2021

• Imports of goods from Great Britain in January 2021 were €497 million, a fall of €906 million compared with January 2020
• Exports to Great Britain decreased by 14% to €946 million in January 2021 when compared with January 2020
• Globally, total exports in January 2021 decreased by 12% when compared with January 2020
• Globally, total imports decreased in January 2021 by 20% compared with January 2020

---

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released Goods Exports and Imports January 2021.

Commenting on the release, Orla McCarthy, Senior Statistician, said: “In January 2021, Ireland’s imports of goods from Great Britain totalled €497 million, which is a fall of 65% when compared with January 2020. Exports to Great Britain fell by 14% to €946 million in January. At a global level, total goods exports decreased by 12%, and total imports fell by 20%.

Traders reported that a combination of factors contributed to the large reduction in imports from Great Britain in January 2021. These included the challenges of complying with customs requirements. 

Other factors identified by traders were stockpiling of goods in Q4 2020 in preparation for Brexit, substitution with goods from other countries, and a reduction in trade volumes due to the impact of COVID-19 related restrictions throughout January.”

Comparing January 2021 to January 2020:

• Imports of Food and live animals from Great Britain were €62 million, a fall of 75%.
• Imports of Mineral fuels from Great Britain fell by 71% to €57 million.
• Exports of Machinery and transport equipment to Great Britain decreased by over 50% to €101 million.
• Exports of Food and live animals to Great Britain fell by one-third to €188 million.

GO TO FULL CSO STATISTICAL RELEASE