Scotch exports soar to £3.45bn

Scotch whisky exports hit a new record last year, rising by 10 per cent to £3.45bn, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

The value of Scotch exports rose despite a 2 per cent fall in volumes, as single malt exports rose by 18 per cent to £577m, compared with a 5 per cent rise in the amount of blended whisky shipped abroad.

The US remained the biggest consumer of the spirit, accounting for £499m of Scotch exports. Exports to Brazil rose by 12 per cent to £67m, while Chinese demand rose by 24 per cent to £55m. India was up by 46 per cent to £41m, and exports to Russia increased by 61 per cent to £31m.