China’s growing taste for Scotch

Direct exports of whisky to China and Hong Kong have reached a value of £63.6 million in nine months.

The figure was revealed a year after China granted legal protection to ensure any product lab-elled Scotch whisky must come from Scotland.

Salmon producers have also directly exported almost £20m of fish to China since January.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Growing and exporting firms make a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy.

“That is why the Scottish Government is focusing our efforts on growth markets, with an ambitious target to deliver a 50 per cent increase in exports by 2017.”