Irish goods exports in value have soared to a record €165 billion last year despite the disruption to global trade caused by the pandemic.

The full-year (Central Statistics Office) figures for 2021 show trade with the UK has been impacted by Brexit, however.

While Irish exports to Britain were up by €2 billion or 17 per cent in the 12 months to the end of December, imports of goods from Britain were down by nearly €2.4 billion or 13 per cent.

Since the UK’s departure from the EU on January 1st, 2021 firms have faced increased customs requirements.

Marks and Spencer (M&S) said last year that post-Brexit rules and “excessive paperwork” has forced it to cut about 800 lines from its stores in the Republic.

But the fall-off in imports has coincided with a significant uptick in cross-Border trade on the island of Ireland.

The Irish Times has more on the CSO figures including an exports/imports graph .