Scots exports rise despite fall in drinks sector

John Swinney: Figures reinforce belief in a widespread recovery. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Figures published by the Scottish Government yesterday showed that exports of goods manufactured in Scotland grew 2.8 per cent compared with the first three months of the year, helped by higher sales of petrol and transport equipment.

Ally Scott, managing director for Scotland at Barclays, said the data showed that the manufacturing sector was “beginning to stride forward having found its feet in previous months”.

He added: “Reports of a productive summer and growing order books will further add to confidence in the industry and we’d expect this positive pattern to continue when the next quarterly figures are announced.”

The parts of the economy that contributed most to the increase in exports were the refined petroleum, chemical and pharmaceutical products sector and engineering and allied industries, which together accounted for about 45 per cent of overseas sales in the three months to June.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “These figures reinforce the belief that recovery is being felt across most industries.”

However, the food and drink sector – which accounts for about 31 per cent of the total – fell 0.2 per cent.

This was due to a 0.3 per cent fall in drink exports, while food sales overseas increased by  0.7 per cent.