Trade across Irish border booms after Brexit amid energy growth
Northern Ireland and Ireland are enjoying what appears to be a €4bn (£3.4bn) boost, with inter-country trade booming in both directions post Brexit, new figures show.
Official government data released in Dublin by the Central Statistics Office showed that imports from Northern Ireland to Ireland increased 23% to €1.9bn between January and May 2022 compared with the same period in 2021.
Trade in the other direction, from Ireland to Northern Ireland, rocketed by 42% to €1.9bn in the same comparative periods.
The increase in movement of food and live animals from Northern Ireland to Ireland was dramatic, rising €119m to €544m.
However, there was a bigger increase in the sale of energy, recorded as “mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials” and likely to refer to North Sea oil and gas.
Sales to Ireland doubled in value from €106m to €218m in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2021.
The rise may partly reflect the increase in energy prices this year but also suggests a change in sources as Europe continues to wean itself off Russian supplies in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
The figures also show that imports from Great Britain to the Irish republic have increased, up from €5.2bn in January to May 2021 to €9.3bn in January to May 2022.
Trade barriers caused by Brexit had affected exports to Ireland in the immediate aftermath of Brexit, with paperwork causing new challenges.
The latest CSO figures suggest exporters in Britain have become accustomed to the new systems.
However, the war in Ukraine also appears to be a factor, with the sale of mineral fuels and lubricants to Ireland from Britain almost quadrupling.
In January to May 2021 there were €727m in British exports to Ireland in the sector.
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