The value of goods exports declined by 8% in the month of June, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

That amounted to a reduction of €806 million on May's figure to €9.42 billion.

The value of goods imports declined by 3%, or €162 million, in June to €5.77 billion.

That resulted in a 15% reduction in the adjusted trade surplus to €3.65 billion.

Brexit uncertainty and sterling weakness do not appear to have been factors behind the drop in exports in June.

In fact, the value of exports to Britain increased by 15% in the month to €1.28 billion compared with the same month last year.

Exports to Britain in the first six months were up by €895 million, or 14%, over the same period last year.

The value of imports from Britain also increased, by 2% in the month of June and by 7% in the first six months of the year.

The EU accounted for half of all goods exports in June and 58% of goods imports. The US accounted for 21% and China, 6%.