Jobs in Scotland’s Whisky industry are being saved by strong exports, according to half-year figures released by the Scottish Whisky Association.
Global Scotch Whisky exports for the first half of 2005 exceeded £1bn for the first time in eight years, with value up 3% to £1.01bn compared with the same period in 2004. Global volumes also grew by 2% to 429 million bottles.
While the dark spirit market is going through a turbulent period in the UK against strong sales in white spirits, the SWA figures are good news for jobs in Scotland, with both bottled in Scotland malt (up 11% to £160m) and blended Scotch Whiskies (up 2% to £787m) enjoying increases in value and volume of shipments.
Exports have been driven by Asia, particularly China, where a demand for Scotch mixed with green tea has pushed exports up 124% in value to £22m.