Manufactured exports from Scotland fell in the third quarter of 2013, according to official estimates.The volume of exports dropped by 2.2% on the previous quarter and were down nearly 1% over the year to September.
The drinks sector,dominated by whiskey, performed more weakly than expected, falling by 8.3%, while engineering products and chemicals exports also fell. Food exports continued to make a positive contribution, expanding by 0.9%.
The overall real-terms fall of 2.2% contrasted with an increase of 3.3% in the previous quarter, according to the Scottish Index of Manufactured Exports. Manufacturing sectors enjoying a second consecutive quarter of positive export growth included textiles, clothing and leather (+16.2%) and metals and metal products (+16.2%).
Comparing the most recent four quarters to the previous four quarters, there was a decline in export volumes across all sectors with the exception of food and drink and metals and metal products.