SCOTTISH manufactured export volumes rose by 1.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter during the three months to September, official figures have shown.

The data, published yesterday by the Scottish Government, showed a 0.6 per cent rise in exports by the food and drink sector. Overseas sales by the refined petroleum, chemical and pharmaceutical products sector leapt by 8.9 per cent.

Comparing the year to September with the preceding 12 months, Scottish manufactured export volumes were down by 0.5 per cent.