19% of Scotch whisky exports ‘go to Commonwealth’

Almost a fifth - 19 per cent - of Scotch whisky exports go to Commonwealth countries, new figures reveal.

Singapore is the largest market in the Commonwealth for Scotch whisky. Picture: Colin Hattersley

Last year, exports to the Commonwealth were up 1 per cent on 2012 to £793 million, from a global total of £4.3 billion, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Singapore is the largest market in the Commonwealth for Scotch whisky with exports of £330 million last year, followed by South Africa with exports of £163 million, Australia at £84 million and India with £69 million.

Economic growth and increasing disposable incomes mean new markets are also emerging in parts of Africa, the SWA said.

Exports to Nigeria rose 43 per cent to almost £14 million last year, making it the seventh biggest market in the Commonwealth.

David Frost, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: “In many Commonwealth countries, Scotch whisky has been popular for years.

“As economies in other countries develop, young, professional consumers are developing a taste for Scotch whisky which they rightly regard as an aspirational drink of quality.”