Food exports boom

Scotland’s food and drink exports have grown by more than 10% in a year, according to new figures.

Food and drink worth £1.2billion was exported in the first three months of 2017, up £124million on the same period in 2016.

Scotch Whisky and Scottish salmon topped the UK export chart in the first quarter of 2017, comprising 22% of the value of total food and drink exports from the UK.

Scotland’s national drink was the highest value export at £875.8 million, following a £79million, 9.9% yearon-year rise, while, with a 14% increase, total food exports were up £45.5million.

Exports of animal feed jumped by 56.5% to £34.5million and dairy and eggs rose by 40.4% to £21.7million, but cereal exports fell 42.6% to £32.3million, while live animals and meat both dropped £0.3million, down 2.1% and 1.5% respectively.

The European Union remains Scotland’s largest regional export market outside of the UK, with exports growing by £50million.