Global Scotch whisky exports rise 3 per cent with rising demand in Africa and the Americas

Global exports of Scotch whisky were up three per cent at a record £3.13 billion last year, even as the industry took steps to clarify its labeling and protect itself against fakes.

Scotch whisky contributes to around a quarter of all food and drink exports from the UK and over 80 per cent of these originate from Scotland.

Scotch whisky ranges from single malts like The Glenlivet from Pernod Ricard, for which all the whisky is sourced from one distillery, to blended types like Johnnie Walker from Diageo, which includes whisky from two or more distilleries.

Scotch whisky exports were up 4 per cent at 1.1 billion bottles shipped in 2009, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

The US remains Scotch whisky's largest market in terms of value, with shipments up 13 per cent to £419 million equaling the highest previous shipment value level, achieved in 2007, even though many drinkers kept way from bars and restaurants in the weak economy.
 
The value of Scotch exports also increased 6 per cent in Africa and 18 per cent in Central and South America.

Additionally, sales in Venezuela saw a 73 per cent increase.
Exports to the European Union slipped 1 per cent with the weak economy in Spain declining 5 per cent and exports to Asia down 9 per cent on a 24 per cent drop in South Korea.