CSO data this week points to a strengthening in trade between Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland, with the value of exports to NI up 43% (€473m) and the value of imports from NI up 78% (€776m) in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first half of 2020.

Imports to the Republic of Ireland (ROI) from Great Britain fell by 20% (€2,544m), with food and live animal imports falling by 50%, or €733m.

A significant reconfiguration of the supply chains of Ireland’s importers and exporters is also underway.

According to the Irish Marine Development Office (IMDO), Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) traffic volumes between ROI and British ports decreased by 29% in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019.

This traffic now accounts for 67% of ROI RoRo volumes compared to 84% two years ago, with 12 different direct services available to Irish traders compared to five in 2019.