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Irish exporters defy global obstacles to deliver record growth

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Despite ongoing challenges in the global business environment, disruption can often serve as a catalyst for innovation, new opportunities, new business models, new innovations, and new ways of thinking and working.

At Enterprise Ireland, our priority continues to be supporting Irish-owned companies at every stage of their business journey, helping them create jobs, attract investment, and compete in global markets.

To continue to grow in new international markets and find new opportunities, Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting and fostering the next generation of Irish startups, and we will work to support SMEs to become more profitable, productive and competitive by harnessing AI, innovation and sustainability, and to accelerate Irish businesses to scale and become global leaders in their field.

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Irish exporters are agile, and they continue to show their strength and resilience, and this was reflected in the strong export results recently published by Enterprise Ireland. Despite economic headwinds, geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs, exports from Irish-owned companies supported by Enterprise Ireland reached a record €36.75 billion in 2024, a 7pc increase on the year before.

This growth was broad-based, with strong growth recorded across all overseas territories. Exports to Europe rose by 4pc to €10.63bn, making it the largest export region for the first time, surpassing the UK. This milestone is a direct outcome of our post-Brexit diversification strategy.

While diversification has been a strategic focus in response to the changed trading relationship, the UK – our closest neighbour –remains a strategically important market, and a priority for Enterprise Ireland. Exports to the UK reached €10.52bn in 2024, up 4pc year-on-year, and exceeded €1bn for the first time.

High-tech construction exports increased by 20pc to €4.66bn

Notwithstanding recent challenges, the United States also saw significant gains, driven by strong trading relationships and sectoral growth. Exports to the US reached €6.66bn, with non-food exports accounting for €5.61bn. Technology and services reached €3.13bn, while industrial and life-sciences exports totalled €2.48bn.

Sectoral performance was equally robust. Food and sustainability exports rose 5pc to €16.25bn. Non-food exports increased 8pc to €20.5bn, with industrial and life sciences up 9pc to €11.46bn. High-tech construction exports increased by 20pc to €4.66bn.

The technology and services sector grew by 7pc to €9.05bn. And within this portfolio, digital tech exports rose 9pc to €3.16bn, and fintech, financial, and business services increased 5pc to €2.90bn.

With ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade, Irish businesses have time and again proven their agility, and ability to diversify across markets when facing challenges. And these impressive export results demonstrate the resilience of the Irish enterprise base, and the global demand for their cutting-edge innovations and solutions.

It is our ambition that exporting Irish businesses become the primary driver of the Irish economy

Enterprise Ireland’s expert teams in Ireland and across our network of 42 international offices remain committed to supporting companies to start, compete, scale and connect, and to grow in international markets.
​A priority for our team is to support companies to develop potential mitigation strategies and build out new market positions to navigate any challenges on the horizon, including any potential challenges resulting from the ongoing tariff and trade discussions.

Enterprise Ireland supported companies are economic cornerstones in towns and communities across the country, and last year these companies employed a record 234,454 people. They also made a substantial impact on the Irish economy last year, spending €42.65bn, including €13bn on payroll.

It is our ambition that exporting Irish businesses become the primary driver of the Irish economy. We believe we are stronger together, and Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with our partners from across the ecosystem to support companies to deal with change, to find opportunities and to drive resilience and growth.

Joe Healy is head of Global Markets at Enterprise Ireland