Record year for Scots food and drink exports

Food and drink exports from Scotland rose to a record £5.5billion last year, government figures show.

Significant growth in sales of seafood and whisky helped exports increase £421million (8%) in 2016.

Exports to the EU were worth £ 2.3billion, up £133million, underlining the importance of European markets, Rural Economy Minister Fergus Ewing said. Whisky exports were worth £4billion, up £153 million (4%) from 2015.

Fish and seafood sales were valued at £759million, up from £603million.