Scotland’s most popular exports

Scottish food exports rose to a record high of £1.1 billion last year, with total food and drink exports valued at £5.1 billion in 2014, representing an increase of of 3.5 per cent on 2013. With our food and drink exports continuing to thrive, we take a look at what other of Scotland’s industries are popular across the world.
By HOLLY LENNON
Published 29th Sep 2015, 08:00 BST
In a picture taken on September 17, 2011 a barman selects a bottle of whisky from a display at the 'Angel's Share' whisky bar in Hong Kong. Whisky shipments to Asia increased by 33 percent, according to new figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The SWA also said that global shipments between January and June had reached 1.8 billion British pounds (2.8 billion USD), up from 1.47 billion British pounds (2.3 billion USD) achieved during the same period in 2010. AFP PHOTO / ED JONES (Photo credit should read Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images)In a picture taken on September 17, 2011 a barman selects a bottle of whisky from a display at the 'Angel's Share' whisky bar in Hong Kong. Whisky shipments to Asia increased by 33 percent, according to new figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The SWA also said that global shipments between January and June had reached 1.8 billion British pounds (2.8 billion USD), up from 1.47 billion British pounds (2.3 billion USD) achieved during the same period in 2010. AFP PHOTO / ED JONES (Photo credit should read Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images)
In a picture taken on September 17, 2011 a barman selects a bottle of whisky from a display at the 'Angel's Share' whisky bar in Hong Kong. Whisky shipments to Asia increased by 33 percent, according to new figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The SWA also said that global shipments between January and June had reached 1.8 billion British pounds (2.8 billion USD), up from 1.47 billion British pounds (2.3 billion USD) achieved during the same period in 2010. AFP PHOTO / ED JONES (Photo credit should read Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images)

FOOD AND DRINK

Fish & Seafood

Fish and seafood exports have increased exponentially, with sales hitting £613 million - a 6.6 per cent increase on 2013. As Scotland is one of the largest seafood producers in Europe, it comes as no surprise that our fish and seafood are so popular.

Whisky

According to Scotland.org, we export 40 bottles of whisky every second - the product is then sold in around 200 markets worldwide. Figures released earlier this year revealed that whisky exports had experienced a slump of about 7 per cent to £3.9b, however it remains one of Scotland’s most important industries and directly employs around 10,000 people.}

Meat

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Following the lifting of an import ban on British pork, the meat imports to China alone was around £1.4m. Beef is worth more than £569m per year which is more than fruit, dairy and poultry combined.

Cheese

Scottish cheddar accounts for 70-80 per cent of total output.

OTHER POPULAR EXPORTS:

Refined petroleum and chemical products

£3.5bn (12.6 per cent of all exports)

Legal, accounting and business

£1.9bn (6.7 per cent of all exports)

Machinery and equipment

£1.7bn (6.3 per cent of all exports)

Electronic products

£1.6 billion (5.7 per cent of all exports)

TOP EXPORT DESTINATIONS:

USA - As has been the case for the last 11 years, America has been Scotland’s top international export destination with an estimated £3.9b exports.

Netherlands - £2.0b

Germany - £1.9b

The top five export markets (including France and Denmark) accounted for £11.2b and around 40 per cent of international exports from Scotland when last recorded in 2013.

Exports to the rest of the UK from Scotland (excluding gas and oil) were provisionally estimated at £46.2b. The service sector is the greatest export to the rest of the UK with 26.2 per cent of exports attributed to manufacturing sector imports while 51.4 per cent are attributable to the service sector.

Related topics:FoodEurope