One fifth of Scotch goes to Commonwealth

Nearly a fifth (19%) of Scotch whisky exports go to Commonwealth countries, new figures have shown.

Exports to the Commonwealth in 2013 increased by 1% to £793 million compared to the previous year, out of a global total of £4.3 billion, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reported.

With exports of £330 million last year, Singapore became the biggest market in the Commonwealth for Scotch whisky, but much of it will go to other parts of Asia as Singapore is a distribution hub for the region.

“In many Commonwealth countries Scotch whisky has been popular for years,” commented David Frost, SWA chief executive. “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.”

South Africa was the second biggest Commonwealth region for Scotch with exports worth £163 million in 201, having been a growing market for several years.

While growth is expected to continue in South Africa, the SWA also expects new markets to emerge across Africa, including Nigeria, which it says has “great potential” after exports to Nigeria grew by 43% to nearly £14 million in 2013, making it the seventh biggest market in the Commonwealth.

India was the fourth largest export market for Scotch in the Commonwealth, with exports of £69 million in 2013.

The SWA said it hopes the European Union-India Free Trade Agreement talks will resume, which will lead to the reduction of the 150% import tariff on spirits in the market.