Exports of Scottish food and drink totaled GBP 1.2 billion (USD 1.5 billion, EUR 1.4 billion) in the first-quarter of this year, an increase of 11 percent or GBP 124 million (USD 158.6 million, EUR 141.6 million) year-on-year, new government figures have shown.
Whisky and salmon led the export chart in the three-month period with exports of Scotland's national drink achieving a total value of GBP 875.8 million (USD 1.1 billion, EUR 1 billion), up 9.9 percent or GBP 79 million (USD 101.1 million, EUR 90.2 million) year-on-year, while total food exports were up 14 percent or GBP 45.5 million (USD 58.2 million, EUR 52 million).
Fish and seafood was Scotland’s largest food sector in Q1 2017 with sales up 30.8 percent to GBP 48.3 million (USD 61.8 million, EUR 55.2 million).
Among Scotland’s other notable exports, its overseas sales of animal feed jumped by 56.5 percent to GBP 34.5 million (USD 44.1 million, EUR 39.4 million) and dairy and eggs rose by 40.4 percent to GBP 21.7 million (USD 27.8 million, EUR 24.8 million), but cereal exports fell 42.6 percent to GBP 32.3 million (USD 41.3 million, EUR 36.9 million).
The EU remains Scotland's largest regional export market outside of the United Kingdom, with year-on-year exports growing by GBP 50 million (USD 64 million, EUR 57.1 million) in the last quarter.
In 2016, exports of farmed salmon from Scotland increased 17 percent in value to reach GBP 451 million (USD 577 million, EUR 514.9 million), but the volume fell 10 percent to 74,600 metric tons (MT). The supply decline was largely attributed to increased sea lice challenges.
Industry representatives believe that increased production this year would see the exported volume return to a level of around 90,000 MT.
According to recent figures published by the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) trade association, U.K. fish and seafood exports achieved a total value of GBP 439.9 million (USD 562.8 million, EUR 502.4 million million) in Q1 2017, up 29.6 percent, making it the country’s fourth most valuable export sector. Alcoholic drinks led the way with a total export value of almost GBP 1.5 billion (USD 1.9 billion, EUR 1.7 billion).
