Whisky exports up 10 percent in 2010
How to drag the UK economy out of the doldrums? Easy. Export more whisky. 2010 was a record year for Scotch whisky exports with global shipments rising by 10 percent to reach a value of GBP 3.45 billion (EUR 3.8 billion), according to figures published by The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The performance confirmed Scotch whisky as one of the UK’s top exporting industries. Scotch whisky exports have increased by 60 percent since the turn of the century, adding an extra GBP 1.29 billion in value (EUR 1.4 billion).
The figures reflected continued premiumisation across the industry, with export value increasing despite a marginal decrease in volume (-2%).
The SWA reports encouraging growth across different Scotch whisky categories. Single malt exports increased by 18 percent (to GBP 577 million) and bottled blended Scotch whisky shipments rose by 5 percent to GBP 2.6 billion.
Eight of the top ten markets grew in value, with a strong performance in the U.S. (+19%) which remained Scotch’s largest export market by value. The ‘BRIC’ markets continued to develop, with exports growing to Brazil (+12%), China (+24%), India (+46%) and Russia (+61%).
Exporting Scotch whisky is a manageable undertaking: ten markets only account for over 60 percent of total value.
Top ten export markets by value
(Jan–Dec 2010 GBP million)
2010 | 2009 | % change | |
USA | 499.3 | 418.7 | +19 |
France | 421.7 | 406.9 | +4 |
Spain | 268.4 | 315.8 | -15 |
Singapore | 220.8 | 167.5 | +32 |
South Africa | 168.8 | 108.2 | +56 |
South Korea | 153.1 | 112.5 | +36 |
Germany | 126.4 | 104.0 | +22 |
Taiwan | 107.4 | 85.1 | +26 |
Greece | 97.0 | 130.3 | -26 |
United Arab Emirates | 67.4 | 58.0 | +16 |
Total Exports | 3,447.3 | 3,134.6 | +10 |
Source: SWA
Authors
Ina Verstl
Source
BRAUWELT International 2011