The decline in Scotch whisky exports in recent years is showing signs of slowing, according to a report by the
Scotch Whisky Association.
(SWA) said the customs value of overseas sales fell by 2.4% last year to £3.86bn, compared with a 7% fall in the previous year.
The volume of whisky exports was down by 2.8% to 1.16 billion bottles, which is the equivalent of 34 bottles being shipped from Scotland every second.
According to the SWA analysis of HMRC statistics, single malts accounted for nearly 25% of the value Scotch whisky exports in 2015, up from 18% five years ago.
Blended whisky remained the biggest category (£2.77bn), accounting for 72% of the global value of exports.
The USA, the biggest export destination for Scotch, remained steady at £749m – nearly a fifth of all exports – while sales to Japan were up 18% to £76m.
There was also growth in a number of emerging markets, with Mexico up 17% to £115m, Turkey up 24% to almost £53m and China returning to the top 20 markets with an increase of 5% to £41m.