GLOBAL demand for Scotland's national drink is soaring to ever higher levels with the value of Scotch whisky exports almost doubling over the past decade.
The US is leading the way with an increase of more than 150%, according to new figures.
An analysis from the Scottish Government, based on the latest HM Revenue and Customs data, published today, has ministers toasting the success.
It shows the value of Scotch whisky exports from the UK has increased overall by 87% during the last 10 years from £2.3 billion in 2002 to £4.3 bn in 2012, the latest figures available.
Americans have the biggest thirst for the product as exports to the US rose from £302.5m in 2002 to £758m last year.
France also had healthy growth rising from £236m to £434m over the decade.
The volume of exports has also experienced a significant rise with 32% more Scotch whisky going overseas over the same period.
China is proving more difficult, partly reflecting the more challenging current market conditions in one of the world's biggest economies.
Scotland's Food and Drink Minister Richard Lochhead said: "Scotch Whisky is one of our most iconic products and these figures demonstrate the huge global demand for whisky.
"I have made growing the food and drink industry one of my main priorities since coming to office and I am particularly pleased that these results show a 51% rise in the value of exports since 2007.
"We export to 173 countries, from the United States - which has more than doubled its spend on our national drink - Brazil and China, to Bermuda, Papua New Guinea and the Vatican City.
"This just exemplifies how important Scotch whisky is not only to the Scottish economy, but to our deserved reputation as a Land of Food and Drink."
He said it was estimated that up to 50 million people world-wide could claim Scottish ancestry, and many more had a connection with Scotland through visiting, working or studying in Scotland.
"I have no doubt that some of them will be raising a glass of Scotland's finest as they bid a fond farewell to 2013 and look forward to the opportunities that 2014 can bring, especially as Scotland welcomes the world through Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup,"he said.
A spokesman for the Scotch Whisky Association said "What we have seen over the last 10 years is strong performance by the industry through a combination of different factors, including significant investment by Scottish distillers and excellent marketing."
He said that sales to mature markets such as the USA and France had continued to grow as had those emerging economies like Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa.
"It is encouraging for the industry that whisky is selling well across such a range of markets."
He added that last year had been a record year for the industry at £4.3 bn in exports and this had continued into the first half of 2013, with the value up another 11% year on year.
But in the first six months of 2013 the value of direct exports to China declined by 20%.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article