Exports by Enterprise Ireland companies passed the €20 billion mark for the first time last year.

In its annual business review, Enterprise Ireland said that its companies saw exports increase by 10% last year, bringing them to an all time high of €20.6 billion.

Enterprise Ireland said that growth was seen in exports across all sectors and in most of the export markets.

It noted a 32% increase in exports of internationally traded software companies to €1.8 billion, while construction and consumer companies reported a 21% increase in exports to total €2.8 billion.

Manufacturing companies saw their exports rise by 11% to €3.4 billion last year, while food companies' exports grew by 3% to €10.6 billion.

The figures show that exports to the US and Canada rose by 27% to almost €3 billion, while exports to the UK were up 12% to €7.5 billion. Exports to Northern Europe also increased by 8% to €4.2 billion.

While the UK remains the country's largest export market, exports there as a proportion of Enterprise Ireland companies has fallen from 45% in 2005 to 37% in 2015, the agency noted.

More companies have diversified their export strategies into Northern Europe, the US and high growth markets including China, India, the Gulf and Brazil, it added.

Enterprise Ireland is responsible for helping Irish businesses export to international markets.

"The 2015 export figure of €20.6 billion demonstrates the scale of the success that Irish companies are seeing in terms of winning business at record levels internationally", Julie Sinnamon, the chief executive of Enterprise Ireland said

"Significantly, growth was recorded across all sectors and we are seeing that diversification into high growth markets is a focus for our clients," Ms Sinnamon added.

Commenting on today's report, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor  said that Irish companies continue to deliver for the Irish economy.

"The figures announced today show the strength and capabilities of Irish companies competing at a global level," the Minister added.