Irish exports increased by just under 20% or €18.4 billion ($20.6 billion) last year to over €111 billion, when compared with 2014, RTE reported. Medical and pharmaceutical products accounted for 27% of total exports in 2015, rising by nearly €8 billion (+36%) to over €30 billion. Exports of food and live animals and beverages and tobacco to the USA totaled €758 million in 2015, an increase of €255 million (+51%) compared with 2014. Meanwhile, imports in 2015 grew to €67 billion, an increase of €6.1 billion or 10% over 2014. Imports of chemicals and related products accounted for nearly €14 billion (21%) of total imports last year, a rise of €2,48 billion (+22%) on 2014.
