Exports to Northern Ireland fell in January when compared with the same month last year, the Central Statistics Office said yesterday. The figure contrasted with the overall performance of Irish exports in January.

The office said value of the goods sold in the North fell 19 per cent to £86 million (#109 million) in January from £105.6 million a year earlier. Imports from the North rose to £75.9 million from £64.4 million in the same period.

The value of all exports from the Republic rose 44 per cent to £5.89 billion in January from £4.08 billion a year earlier.

Exports to the US in January rose 104 per cent when compared with the same month in 2000 and sales to Britain rose 41 per cent in the period.

The value of imports in January rose 18 per cent to £3.99 billion.