Ireland's trade surplus reached a new monthly record of £1.158 billion in June, going beyond the £1 billion level for the first time. The figure compared with a surplus of £932 million in the same month the previous year.

The record June surplus was boosted by a huge surge in exports, which reached a new monthly high of £3.247 billion, according to figures published yesterday by the Central Statistics Office. Imports were unchanged at £2.089 billion.

For the first six months of the year, exports were £16.460 billion, up 7 per cent on the same period last year. Reflecting the strength of consumer demand, imports rose 8 per cent to £12.401 billion. The trade surplus over the period was £4.059 million, up 3 per cent on the first half of 1996.

During the first half of the year the main increase in exports was to non-EU countries, particularly the US. Exports to Britain rose 10 per cent to £3.352 billion, while sales to Germany dropped 5 per cent to £1.961 billion. Exports of computer equipment rose 12 per cent to £3.23 billion.