Irish exports to non-EU countries dropped 12 per cent in February this year to £2,274 million - largely due to the impact of foot-and-mouth disease.
According to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office, imports from countries outside the EU grew to £1,533 million in February compared with £1,467 million in January.
But the CSO said exports to non-EU countries for 2001 were still 29 per cent higher than figures for 2000.
In the same month last year, non-EU exports were valued at £1,700 million.
