The last time France was not the number-one Scotch whisky export market by volume was 2000. But which country took the top position in 2022?

Last year, Scotch whisky exports passed the £6 billion (US$7.3bn) mark for the first time following 37% value growth. Global exports of Scotland’s native spirit were worth £6.2bn (US$7.5bn) in 2022.

Volume-wise, the number of 700ml bottles exported from Scotland rose by 21% to 1.67bn in total.

Regionally, Asia Pacific overtook the EU as the sector’s biggest regional market, boosted by double-digit growth in Taiwan, Singapore, India and China.

Steadfast Scotch markets such as France, Germany and Spain continued their post-pandemic recovery, reporting ‘strong’ growth last year, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

However, France has been removed from the position of number-one export market by volume. But which country took the top spot for the first time since 2000?

Scroll down to discover the top 10 Scotch whisky export markets by volume.

10. South Africa

Shipments of Scotch whisky to South Africa rose by 15% in 2022 to reach 39 million bottles, up from 34m in 2021.

9. Mexico

A slight increase of 2% saw Scotch whisky exports to Mexico climb to 48m bottles last year, securing the country ninth place. To the nearest round number, the volume was also recorded at 48m bottles in 2021.

8. Poland

A high single-digit increase of 9% bagged Poland eighth place in the ranking of top Scotch export markets by volume. The country received 49m bottles in 2022, up from 45m the year prior.

7. Spain

Spain was the market that held the number-one spot in 2000, the last year France was not in pole position. In 2022, exports to Spain jumped by 39% to 67m bottles, an increase from 48m in 2021.

6. Germany

Exports to Germany rose by 48% last year, as Scotch fans enjoyed 67m bottles. This was an improvement on the 46m bottles shipped in 2021.

5. Japan

In 2022, Scotch whisky exports to Japan rose by a third (33%), hitting 75m bottles – almost 20m more than the 56m exported in 2021.

4. Brazil

Double-digit growth (14%) placed Brazil fourth in the top-10 ranking, with 93m bottles of Scotch exported there last year. This was a rise from the 82m bottles in 2021.

3. US

As we reach the top three global markets for Scotch exports by volume, third place goes to the US. Exports grew by 9% to 137m bottles last year, up from 126m in 2021.

2. France

Sitting in second position for the first time in more than two decades, France still delivered double-digit growth last year. Scotch exports by volume rose by 17% to reach 205m bottles, up from 176m in 2021.

1. India

A solid 60% growth spurt in Scotch whisky exports saw India topple France from the top spot. The world’s biggest export market for Scotch by volume in 2022 imported 219m bottles, significantly higher than the 136m bottles in 2021.

These are the top 10 markets by value.