New Central Statistics Office figures show the value of goods exported from Ireland rose by 31% in the first half of the year.

In total, goods worth €105bn were exported, up by €24bn on the same six-month period last year.

On an unadjusted basis, goods exports were 19% higher in June versus a year earlier. But when seasonally adjusted, exports actually fell by 9% during the month to €16.5bn compared to May.

The biggest recorded increase in exports was seen in the medical and pharmaceutical products sector, where there was 14% growth in the month, worth €788m.

Also growing strongly was the professional, scientific and controlling apparatus sector, which recorded a 51% increase to €909m.

As for imports, RTE News continues the story on trading figures released from the CSO.