SCOTTISH manufactured exports rose by 3.5% quarter-on-quarter in volume terms in the three months to June, as the engineering sector enjoyed a 7.2% surge in overseas sales, official figures show.
This seasonally adjusted increase in manufactured exports, revealed yesterday in data published by the Scottish Government, followed a 2% quarter-on-quarter rise in the opening three months of 2013 and was achieved against a backdrop of a stronger eurozone economic performance.
The rise in exports in the three months to June was achieved in spite of a 2.5% quarter-on-quarter fall in overseas sales by Scotland's drinks sector. But this sector, dominated by Scotch whisky, enjoyed a sharp rise in exports in the first quarter of the year, according to the Scottish Government figures.
The volume of exports from Scotland's drinks sector in the second quarter was slightly higher than that in the final three months of last year, according to the seasonally adjusted data.
And, comparing the year to June with the preceding 12 months, Scottish drinks sector exports were up by 5.5%.
The figures also show that the refined petroleum, chemical and pharmaceutical products sector achieved a 4.2% quarter-on-quarter rise in exports in the three months to June. However, over the year to June, this sector's exports were 4.5% lower than in the preceding 12 months.
Within engineering, the transport equipment sub-sector enjoyed a 25.3% quarter-on-quarter leap in exports in the three months to June. However, comparing the year to June with the preceding 12 months, transport equipment exports were down 8.5%.
The electrical and instrument engineering category, which takes in the electronics industry, achieved a 5.4% quarter-on-quarter increase in exports in the three months to June.
And, comparing the year to June with the preceding 12 months, this sub-sector recorded a 5.8% rise in overseas sales.
The mechanical engineering sub-sector achieved a 0.9% quarter-on-quarter rise in exports in the three months to June. But mechanical engineering exports over the year to June were down by 11% on the previous 12 months.
And the exports of the engineering and allied industries in Scotland over the year to June were down by 4% on the preceding 12 months in spite of the 7.2% jump in the second quarter.
The Scottish food industry recorded 2.9% growth in exports during the second quarter. And its exports in the year to June were 12.7% higher than in the preceding 12 months.
Scotland's textiles, clothing and leather sector achieved a 6.9% quarter-on-quarter rise in exports in the three months to June. However, its exports in the year to June were down 13.2% on the preceding 12 months.
Andy Hall, head of corporate banking in central Scotland for banking group Barclays, said the latest export figures for Scottish manufacturing reflect "the positivity and vibrancy we see in the sector".
He added: "For our customers within the manufacturing sector, the future looks positive. The eurozone economy officially emerging from recession in the second quarter marked the return to growth of our largest trading partner and has been a catalyst in these encouraging figures.
"The strength of manufacturing is helping to support a growing optimism over prospects for the economy as a whole."
The manufactured export figures follow data published by the Scottish Government last week showing gross domestic product north of the Border grew by 0.6% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to June.
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