The 2005 Numbers are In!

The 2005 Scotch Export Numbers have just been released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and they are great!

Global demand for Scotch whisky grew in 2005, with exports of both Malt & Blends rising 4% over 2004's figures - the overall dollar amount was £2.36 billion - the industry’s third best annual export performance ever.

The number of bottles shipped saw increases as well - with almost 990 million bottles of Scotch whisky exported worldwide - this represents an increase of 34 million bottles - a 4% increase over 2004.

The Americas are putting a lot of cash in the UK treasury with the U.S. remaining the industry's largest market (by value) - up £35 million to £373 million (a 10% increase), while in South America, the market grew by 19% overall - driven by an increase in imports to both Brazil (+5%) and Venezuela (+48% to £73.7 million).

Asian exports were up as well (+24%) with significant developing markets in China (+86% to £46 million) and Thailand (+25% to £48 million). South Korea maintains it's position as Scotch Whisky's top Asian market (+24% to £156 million), with Taiwan close behind (+24% to £102 million).

Even troublesome India was up (+89%), though in global terms the numbers are quite small and continue to be constrained by tariff & tax barriers, as well as a rampant black and forgery market.

Exports to the rest of Europe were down 11% with the still strong Spanish market down 18% to £240 million, and Germany down 24% to £59.2 million. Even sales in the UK were down (-6%).

France, the industry's top market by volume, was the only major European market to see an increase (+3% to £255 million).

Top 10 Exports by Value

Top 10 Exports by Volume