2006 - Year of the Scotch.

Posted on April 4, 2007
Filed Under WhiskyBuzz |

2006 was a record year for Scotch Whisky exports, with shipments of both Malt and Blended

Scotch Whisky increasing worldwide, according to new figures published by The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

- Record export value and volume achieved
- Â£78 a second contributed to UK exports (Â£2.5bn in total)
- Scotch represents a quarter of all UK food and drink exports
- Over one billion bottles shipped worldwide
- USA is largest market by value, reaching Â£400m for first time
- Growth for both Malts and Blends

Scotch Whisky exports rose by 4% in value reaching nearly Â£2.5bn, the highest ever value for shipments and beating a previous high of Â£2.4bn in 1997. In particular, there was encouraging growth for both bottled Malt exports (+7% to Â£408m), which broke the Â£400m barrier for the first time, and bottled Blended Scotch (+4% to Â£1.92bn).

Export volume was also at a new record high with shipments surpassing the equivalent of one billion bottles, up 6% on 2005 levels (to 1,051m bottles). The previous record was achieved in 2001 ( 1,013m bottles). Bottled Malt shipments soared 23% in volume (76m bottles) , with bottled Blended Scotch rising 4% (762m bottles).

Consumer demand was broad based, with exports to each of the key regions growing in value and volume. Shipments to the EU (+0.2% in value), Asia (+2%), North America (+6%), and Central & South America (+24%) all rose on 2005 levels.