UK exports to Ireland partially recover following Brexit

Trade between the UK and Ireland partially recovered in February, after a steep drop in January following Brexit.

The value of UK exports to Ireland was up by 38% month-on-month from £1.13bn to £1.56bn.

That is still down by more than 7% compared to February last year when exports were valued at £1.69bn.

The figures for Irish imports to the UK continued to deteriorate, down by 21% month-on-month and 17% year-on-year.

The value of Irish imports in February was £877m, the worst month in more than 10 years according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

The trade figures were the first since new rules came into force as a result of Brexit.

• Counting the cost of the Irish Sea border

• What will happen when EU-GB grace periods expire?

• British exports to Ireland fall by almost €1bn

Both the ONS and business analysts said the drop in trade flows was partly caused by stockpiling in December 2020, as businesses tried to get ahead of the introduction of the new rules, depressing trade in January.

There may also have been some pandemic factors, for example the lockdown of hospitality may have had an effect on food trade.

An ONS spokesperson said: "Exports to the EU recovered significantly from their January fall, though still remain below 2020 levels.

"However, imports from the EU are yet to significantly rebound, with a number of issues hampering trade."