Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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462. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the balance of trade with China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2080/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. According to the CSO, China is Ireland's 5th largest trading partner, 5th largest goods export market and Ireland's 4th largest services export market.

In 5 years, from 2017 to 2022, the value of goods exports from Ireland to China almost trebled with an increase by 203% from €4.4bn to €13.2bn. The value of goods imports from China to Ireland more than trebled with an increase from €4.4bn in 2017 to €14.4bn in 2022.

In 2019-2021 Ireland enjoyed a goods trade surplus with China. However, in 2022, Ireland had goods trade deficit of €1.2 bn, with a substantial increase (+526%) in Irish imports of Organic Chemicals from China in that year.

In 2023, Goods exports to China at €8.9 billion, were -32% compared with 2022 and Goods imports at €10.8 billion, were -25% compared with 2022.

The latest data available, shows that in Jan – Oct 2024 Goods exports to China were +8% and Goods imports were + 21% compared with Jan – Oct 2023.

The CSO does not yet have data for our services imports from, and services exports to, China for 2023.