The export of Scotch Whiskey fell in the midst of 'turbulent' worldwide trade last year – because the industry is confronted with the impending threat of punishing American rates.
The total value of Scotch export fell by £ 200 million in 2024 to £ 5.4 billion.
That was a decrease of 3.7 percent compared to the £ 5.6 billion of exports in 2023. The equivalent of 1.4 billion bottles of whiskey was sold abroad, which is 44 per second.
The US remains the top market for whiskey export, with a marginal reduction of 0.7 percent that takes turnover up to £ 971 million.
But the industry runs the risk affected by new rates from President Donald Trump, whose 25 percent levy cost more than £ 1 million a day in his first term.
Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whiskey Association, said: 'Despite the resilience of the Scotch Whiskey industry, 2024 has been a challenging year. At home, distillers are stretched to the breaking point, because consumers become scotch whiskey on every bottle of whisky in the last 18 months alone.
'The cumulative effect of inflatoid effects on input costs such as grains, energy and shipment, and the increased tax and statutory costs are fed by consumers when they sharpen their belts.
'Overeas, the tectonic trading plates shift and export to traditional strong markets in the EU and North America have become much more challenging.
The total value of Scotch export fell by £ 200 million in 2024 to £ 5.4 billion
That was a decrease of 3.7 percent compared to £ 5.6 billion exports in 2023. The equivalent of 1.4 billion bottles of whiskey was sold abroad, which is 44 per second
The US remains the top market for whiskey export, with a marginal reduction of 0.7 percent that takes turnover up to £ 971 million
“The US remains an important market for Scotch and the industry contributes to the American economy through direct investments and jobs.”
The Lord knows at Sir Keir Starmer at the promise he made in November 2023, to be achieved to support 'Scotch producers in the handle'.
Despite the decrease of 3.7 percent in the value of whiskey export last year, they were still 10 percent higher than pre-Pandemic levels in 2019. With volume, the export increased by 3.7 percent last year compared to 2023 levels.
The American export figure of £ 971 million fell £ 7 million compared to the previous year. The other top markets per value were France for £ 419 million, Singapore (£ 310 million), Taiwan (£ 298 million) and India (£ 248 million).
A spokesperson for the British government said: “We are committed to supporting companies, including Scotch Whiskey producers, by covering corporation tax on 25 percent and publishing a route map for business tax so that future investments can be planned with confidence.”
In the meantime, government statistics also showed yesterday that the value of Scottish salmon performance increased to a record high of £ 844 million. France was the most productive buyer of the fish and spent £ 462 million, followed by the US by £ 225 million.
In the meantime, the government statistics that were released yesterday also showed that the value of Scottish salmon exports to a record height of £ 844 million increased
The value of salmon output last year broke the previous record of £ 618 million, established in 2019.
Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Handelschaan Salmon Scotland, said: “Today's record output demonstrates the increasing global demand for Scottish salmon, which is rightly recognized as the best in the world and increasingly wanted by distinguishing consumers.”
'Producers have also invested hundreds of millions of pounds to further stimulate a leading welfare standards in the world.
'The salmon sector of Scotland is heavily regulated by the government – we need better, no less regulations. That is the task for the government and if it is delivered, we can create more jobs and economic growth. '
