Scotch Whisky exports grew in the first six months of 2013 as the industry continues to lead the way for the UK's food and drink sector and export-led recovery.
Figures released today by the Scotch Whisky Association show that the value of exports increased by 11% to almost £2 billion in the first six months of this year from £1.78 billion in the first half of 2012. Some 563 million bottles of Scotch Whisky were exported between January and June this year, up 9%, or almost 50 million bottles, from the same period in 2012.
This snapshot of export performance in the first half of 2013 reflects growing demand from a wide range of markets against a slowdown during the same period a year earlier. On an annualised basis, the value of exports rose by 6% to £4.5bn from £4.2bn in the 12 months up to the end of June.
There was growth in mature markets, such as the USA and France, with a welcome return to growth in Spain, alongside increasing demand from emerging economies, such as South Africa and South America.