Irish exports rose by €6 billion in the first six months of the year, an 8 per cent rise, the Irish Exporters Association said.

The association released the figures in its half-year review, and said it was in line with its full-year projection that merchandise and services exports would grow to €177.5 billion, some 9.1 per cent higher than 2010.

This rate is “substantially higher” than the global average and projections are expected to be fulfilled despite the economic turmoil in the first half of the year. Merchandise exports were 7.4 per cent higher in the first half of 2011, lifted by a 14.2 per cent surge in agri-food exports. The chemical and pharmaceutical sector also showed significant growth.