Record export value and volume achieved
£78 a second contributed to UK exports (£2.5bn in total)
Scotch represents a quarter of all UK food and drink
exports
Over one billion bottles shipped worldwide
USA is largest market by value, reaching £400m for first
time
Growth for both Malts and Blends
2006
was a record year for Scotch Whisky exports, with shipments of
both Malt and Blended Scotch Whisky increasing worldwide,
according to new figures published by The Scotch Whisky
Association (SWA).
Scotch
Whisky exports rose by 4% in value reaching nearly £2.5bn, the
highest ever value for shipments and beating a previous high
of £2.4bn in 1997. In particular, there was encouraging growth
for both bottled Malt exports (+7% to £408m), which broke the
£400m barrier for the first time, and bottled Blended Scotch
(+4% to £1.92bn).
Export
volume was also at a new record high with shipments surpassing
the equivalent of one billion bottles, up 6% on 2005 levels
(to 1,051m bottles). The previous record was achieved in 2001
(1,013m bottles). Bottled Malt shipments soared 23% in volume
(76m bottles), with bottled Blended Scotch rising 4% (762m
bottles).
Consumer demand was broad based, with exports to each of the
key regions growing in value and volume. Shipments to the EU
(+0.2% in value), Asia (+2%), North America (+6%), and Central
& South America (+24%) all rose on 2005 levels.
Richard Burrows, the SWA Chairman, commented:
“Building on a record year in 2006, the prospects for Scotch
Whisky are brighter than they have been for many years. I’m
greatly encouraged that distillers, large and small, are
investing in facilities in Scotland and taking advantage of
opportunities worldwide, with markets in Asia, North and South
America offering strong potential for growth.
To
support the industry’s international competitiveness, the SWA
is continuing to press the case for new legislation that will
improve both the legal protection of Scotch Whisky from unfair
competition and help promote the positive reputation of Scotch
to consumers around the world.”
