As drams are raised in Burns Night toasts around the world today, figures show whisky, gin and beer exports are on course to deliver a £2.9billion boost to the UK economy.
With overseas sales of £2.8billion between January and September last year, up 1.5% on 2015, Scotch remains the “driving force of the UK food and drink industry,” accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports.
But the figures, announced today by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) also confirm strong growth in gin and beer sales over the past year.
UK gin exports between January and October last year climbed by 11% compared to the same period in 2015 to a total of £392million. Two-thirds of the spirit is produced in Scotland, where 22 new distilleries opened in 2016.
Defra said a “growing thirst for Scotland’s craft ales” fuelled a 16% year-on-year rise in exports, with sales totalling £479million between January and October 2016.
Welcoming the figures, Scottish Secretary David Mundellsaid: “Whisky is one of Scotland’s greatest success stories and tonight, like many Scots across the world on Burns Night, I’ll be enjoying a wee dram.
“Whisky is a vital part of any Burns Night celebration – and these statistics show the industry is going from strength to strength. They also show the growing thirst for other fantastic Scottish drinks such as gin and craft beer, which have seen business booming.”
Defra said beer, whisky and gin form a key part of plans to further boost food and drink exports over the next five years, particularly in the US and Canada.
Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Scotch whisky is a driving force of the UK food and drink industry, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all our food and drink exports each year. It’s fantastic other businesses are following suit and exporting around the world.
“I want to build on the the significant global opportunities for our food and drink businesses by giving companies the skills and confidence to start tapping into new international markets.”
Almost 900million bottles of whisky were exported between January and September last year, an increase of 3% on the previous year.
Fourteen new whisky distilleries have opened in Scotland since 2013 and industry body the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) expects seven more to be launched this year.
Acting SWA chief executive Julie Hesketh-Laird said: “Scotch exports are worth around £4 billion a year to almost 200 markets. Such demand is driving an unprecedented number of Scotch distilleries being opened.
“We’re committed to working with Defra to maintain export growth, leading the way for other food and drink products overseas.”
Events offering producers the chance to discuss Scotland’s emerging 2030 food and drink industry strategy are taking place in the north and north-east.
Organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scotland Food & Drink and Scottish Enterprise, they are being held at Meldrum House, Oldmeldrum, on Juanuary 31; the Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, on February 8 and; the Newton Hotel, Nairn, on February 9.
