CSO figures show sharp decline in US-bound goods exports following 2025 stockpiling, while trade with UK and China records strong growth.
Irish exports to the United States fell by almost two-thirds in the first half of 2026 as trading patterns normalised following a surge in shipments ahead of anticipated US tariff changes last year, according to analysis by BDO Ireland of the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures.
Preliminary CSO statistics for June show that exports to the US totalled €26.2 billion between January and June 2026, down 65.1% from €75.1 billion during the same period in 2025. The decline reflects the exceptional level of exports recorded last year as businesses increased stockpiles in advance of new US tariff regimes.
“Ireland’s export performance continues to demonstrate resilience and diversification in the face of difficult geopolitical factors and ongoing changes in US tariff rules”
Despite the sharp fall in exports to the US, Ireland’s overall export performance remained positive in June. Total goods exports increased by €1.2 billion, or 7.1%, to €18.1 billion compared with €16.9 billion in June 2025.
A changing environment
Trade with the UK also continued to strengthen. Exports to the UK rose by 42.6% during the first six months of 2026, increasing by €3.1 billion to reach €10.3 billion compared with the same period last year.
The figures also point to growing demand for technology-related imports. Irish imports of Office Machines & Automatic Data Processing Machines rose by €905.2 million, or 102.3%, to €1.8 billion in June 2026, up from €885.2 million in June 2025.
Commenting on the figures, Carol Lynch, head of Customs and International Trade Services at BDO Ireland, said Ireland’s exporters are continuing to adapt to a changing international trading environment.
“Ireland’s export performance continues to demonstrate resilience and diversification in the face of difficult geopolitical factors and ongoing changes in US tariff rules.
“While exports for the first half of the year are down by around a third on H1 2025 this is primarily related to US exports (down almost two-thirds) and was to be expected following last year’s stock piling in the early months. We are now seeing some normalisation and it is very positive that exports generally increased in June 2026 compared to June 2025 (+7.1%).
“We are also seeing strong growth in exports to Great Britain which is a positive sign – particularly in chemical and related products and machinery and transport.”
Lynch highlighted significant growth in trade with China, particularly in pharmaceuticals, chemicals and machinery-related exports.
“Particularly notable is that exports to China have increased considerably, rising from €697m in June 2025 to €1,297m in June 2026. This is particularly in the chemicals/Pharma and machinery/transport categories.
“Similar patterns can be seen for exports to the rest of the world outside of the US, EU and GB. This increase in exports on a global basis is a solid indicator that Irish exporters are navigating the changing global trading environment.”
The latest figures suggest that while trade flows with the US are returning to more typical levels following the exceptional activity seen in early 2025, Irish exporters continue to expand their reach across key international markets, with Britain, China and other global destinations contributing to broader export growth.
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