Ireland’s trade surplus narrowed to EUR 2.94 billion in August 2026 from EUR 4.55 billion a year earlier. Imports rose 12.4% year-on-year to EUR 12.9 billion, driven by higher purchases of medical and pharmaceutical products (44.6%), office machines and automatic data processing machines (63.4%), and petroleum, petroleum products and related materials (68.8%). Among key trading partners, imports from Great Britain increased 11.9%, while those from the US fell 21%. Exports declined 1.2% year-on-year to EUR 15.9 billion, reflecting lower shipments of medical and pharmaceutical products (-6.7%) and organic chemicals (-28.6%). However, exports of office machines and automatic data processing machines surged 141.5%, while those of petroleum, petroleum products and related materials rose 122.9%. Exports to Great Britain and Northern Ireland increased 23.9% and 7%, respectively, while shipments to the US fell 9%.