Irish agency-backed exports show rise in UK trade amid Brexit

 Exports to the UK by Irish companies backed by a state agency rose 15% in 2021, despite uncertainty caused by Brexit.

The value of all shipments abroad by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies rose by a record 12% to 27.3 billion euros ($27.3 billion), the organization which helps Irish companies grow trade said in a statement Tuesday. The UK accounted for almost a third of all exports.

Food was by far the biggest category, accounting for close to half of outgoing trade and rising 6%, while construction exports rose by 24%. Exports to the euro area increased 10% and trade to North America climbed 14%.

“While the UK remains our largest trading partner it is good to see that our strategy to grow exports in other key markets, especially the euro zone, continues to pay dividends,” Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy said.

Challenges for the second half of 2022 include the impact of inflation, rising energy costs and supply chain issues.

Meanwhile, action on climate change remains a major hurdle for Irish companies, with just one-third of the agency’s clients having developed a response for their businesses and about 15% saying they measure Co2 emissions, Enterprise Ireland said.