Last week, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) confirmed record shipments of whisky from Scotland in 2022 – but which are the category’s biggest export markets?

Global Scotch whisky exports topped £6 billion (US$7.3bn) for the first time in 2022.

In value terms, Scotch exports were worth £6.2bn (US$7.5bn), an increase of 37% on the previous year.

Volume-wise, the number of 700ml bottles exported rose by 27% to 1.67bn in 2022.

Mark Kent, chief executive of the SWA, said: “Passing £6bn in export value for the first time is a milestone, and testament to the work of our member companies and the tens of thousands of employees across Scotland and the UK supply chain who make Scotch whisky a global success story of which we are rightly proud.”

Below, we count down the top 10 biggest export markets for Scotch whisky by value.

10. Spain

Spain was the 10th biggest export market for Scotch whisky last year, marking a 46% increase to £173 million (US$208.7m) compared with £118m (US$142.4m) in 2021.

9. Japan

Scotch whisky fans in Japan gave the category a 32% boost, as export sales jumped to £175m (US$211.1m), up from £133m (US$160.5m) in 2021.

8. Germany

Double-digit growth in 2022 nabbed Germany the eighth spot on the list, as Scotch whisky exports climbed by 36% in value terms to reach £202m (US$243.7m), an improvement on the £148m (US$178.6m) delivered in 2021.

7. Panama

Consumers in Panama showed a clear penchant for Scotch whisky, with value exports placing the Central American country in seventh position. Exports rose by triple digits last year – 165% – to hit £203m (US$244.8m), compared with £77m (US$92.8m) in 2021.

6. China

Chinese consumers have long been known for their interest in Scotch whisky, and helped China place sixth in the value ranking. The value of exports to China grew by 18% last year to reach £233m, (US$281.1m) up from £198m (US$238.9m) in 2021.

5. India

Exports by value to India almost doubled in 2022, rising by 93%. In 2021, Scotch exports by value were worth £146m (US$176.2m), but jumped to £282m (US$340.2m) in 2022. If the UK-India fair trade deal is confirmed, this number could be set to soar further.

4. Taiwan

With a 39% rise in exports by value, Taiwan is the fourth most valuable export market for Scotch. Exports were worth £315m (US$380.1m) in 2022, an increase from £226m (US$272.7m) in 2021.

3. Singapore

With a 50% increase in value exports last year, Singapore took third position with Scotch exports topping £316m (US$381.3m), compared with £212m (US$255.8m) in 2021.

2. France

Second place was secured by France, with value exports of Scotch whisky up by more than a quarter (26%) in 2022. The category’s exports were worth £488m (US$588.8m) last year, up from £387m (US$466.9m) in 2021.

1. US

Taking pole position for the most valuable export market for Scotch in 2022 is the US, following a 33% rise in export value last year. The nation’s imports of Scotch whisky were worth £1.053bn (US$1.27bn) in 2022, up from £790m (US$953.1m) in 2021.