Irish trade surplus narrows in July

DUBLIN: Ireland's trade balance showed a reduced surplus in July narrowing by 25 percent to 3.151 billion euros ($4.316 billion), official data showed on Wednesday.

Exports dropped by 12 percent to 7.027 billion euros from 7.962 billion euros in June and imports were down 3.0 percent to 3.877 billion euros from 3.779 billion euros, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said in a statement.

Official data released gave final figures for June and first estimates for July.

Ireland's main prospect for turning around its troubled economy is through exports and therefore any long-term trend showing the trade surplus falling would be a concern.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011