Irish production and trade

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in the first quarter of this year was 10.3% lower than in the same period in 2005. The combined turnover of leather industry companies in the first quarter was 11.4% lower year-on-year.&rtreturn;Ireland imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth €300,000 in the first two months of this year, as compared with €600,000 in the corresponding period in 2005. Irish exports of the same types of commodities in January and February were worth €15 million, as against €10.9 million in the same period last year.