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Exports by Enterprise Ireland companies surpass €20bn for first time

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Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon with Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor
  • Increase in exports in all sectors - software, construction and manufacturing saw greatest increases
  • Focus on diversification into USA, Europe, and High Growth Markets paying off for Irish companies
  • Enterprise Ireland companies spend €23.7bn in the domestic economy in 2015

Enterprise Ireland companies saw an increase of 10% in exports in 2015, compared with 2014, amounting to an all-time high of €20.6bn. The export figure is now almost double what it was 10 years ago.   

Significant growth was recorded in exports across all sectors and in the majority of export territories according to the official figures published by Enterprise Ireland today. In particular there were increases of:

  • 32% in exports for internationally traded software companies to €1.8bn
  • 21% in exports for construction and consumer companies to €2.8bn
  • 11% in exports by manufacturing companies to €3.4bn
  • 3% in exports by food companies to €10.6bn   

The results also show that exports have increased across most territories with exports to the USA and Canada increasing by 27% to almost €3bn; exports to the UK increasing by 12% to €7.5bn, and exports to Northern Europe increasing by 8% to €4.2bn.   

Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon said:

The 2015 export figure of €20.6bn demonstrates the scale of the success that Irish companies are seeing in terms of winning business at record levels internationally. Significantly, growth was recorded across all sectors and we are seeing that diversification into high growth markets is a focus for our clients.   

The UK remains our largest export market, but we are seeing a trend whereby the exports to the UK as a proportion of our total client exports has declined from 45% in 2005 to 37% in 2015, as more companies have diversified their export strategies into Northern Europe, the USA and high growth markets including China, India, the Gulf and Brazil.

Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said:

One of the areas I am focusing on as Minister is to create an environment for job growth in our regions. A strong economy supporting people at work is needed to pay for services and to create a fair society. I would like to congratulate the exporters and also Enterprise Ireland for supporting these companies in achieving these record exports.