Exports to non-EU countries were weak in October, falling 10 per cent from the previous month, according to Central Statistics Office figures. The figures show exports to non-EU states of €2.282 million, a decrease of 12 per cent on the same month last year.

The trend in exports to non-EU countries has been volatile in recent months, influenced by swings in major categories such as organic chemicals, which account for a quarter of total exports. However, the export trend was sharply downwards in October, possibly reflecting some slowdown in markets such as the US, as well as the impact of the rising euro.

Organic chemicals exports, which account for 60 per cent of sales to non-EU countries, were €6.859 billion in the first 10 months, down 14 per cent, while computer equipment sales fell 22 per cent to €3.182 billion.

The most buoyant category was professional, scientific and controlling apparatus, up 69 per cent to more than €2.2 billion.

Reflecting reasonably buoyant demand in the Irish economy, imports from non-EU states at €15.191 billion were up 0.5 per cent on the same period in 2003.

Exports to the US in October of €1.275 billion were down more than 15 per cent on the same month last year.

For the first 10 months, US sales of €13.836 billion were down 3 per cent on the January to October period in 2003.

Sales to Mexico fell 3 per cent.