WHISKY exports for the first half of the year generated almost £2 billion for Scotland’s economy.
New figures released showed strong export growth in the first half of 2013, as demand rose in both mature and emerging markets.
The industry figures showed an increase in exports of 11% whilst the volume of shipments was up 9% on last year to more than 560 million bottles.
Mature markets like the US and France showed strong growth, whilst demand also grew in emerging economies such as South Africa and South America.
The Scotch Whisky Association said the latest figures were indicative of the growing demand from a wide range of markets. That’s despite a slowdown during the same period last year.
Annually the value of exports rose by 6% to £4.5bn to the end of June. Surprisingly the value of direct exports to China dropped by 20% to £25 million.
However, an increase in shipments to Singapore softened that blow, with Singapore acting as a distribution hub for countries like Taiwan, South Korea and China.
The US remained the biggest market by value, increasing by 29% on the same period last year to reach £391million, followed by France with exports worth £199 million. Singapore exports jumped by 19% to £174m.