Rise in whisky and salmon exports hailed

AN increase in salmon and whisky exports this year demonstrates the resilience of Scotland’s food and drink industry, ministers have said.

Fresh Atlantic salmon worth £483million was exported from the UK during the first three quarters of 2017, according to HMRC statistics.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the figure was a 56 per cent increase on the same period during 2016.

During the same period, Scotch whisky exports were worth more than £3billion, representing an increase of 11 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Mr Ewing said: ‘Scottish whisky and Scottish salmon are iconic products, representing everything that is great about Scottish produce.

‘These figures reflect the strength and resilience of our food and drink industry.

‘We will continue to work with industry to develop new and existing markets.’