UK. Global exports of Scotch Whisky grew by 19% to £4.51bn during 2021, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), as the industry continues to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and US tariffs. The number of 70cl bottles exported also grew by 21% to the equivalent of 1.38bn.

Despite the return to growth in 2021, the value of Scotch Whisky exports has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with exports remaining 8% lower than 2019.

Growth in 2021 was driven in particular by consumers in Asia Pacific and Latin America, with value increases of 21% and 71% respectively. Key emerging markets for Scotch Whisky – like India, Brazil, and China – grew strongly. Exports grew by 8% in the United States – the industry largest market by value – despite the first quarter of 2021 impacted by the 25% tariff on single malt Scotch Whisky. Exports to the European Union grew by 8% in the first year since the UK left the transition period. 

Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association Mark Kent said: “The global footprint of the industry in 2021 is a clear sign that the Scotch Whisky industry is on the road to recovery.

“Value and volume are both up as consumers return to bars and restaurants, people return to travel and tourism, and we all return to a degree of normality after a period of enormous uncertainty for consumers and business.

Top 10 Markets 

The largest export destinations for Scotch Whisky (defined by value) in 2021 were: 

1. USA:          £ 790m                 8.4% (£729m in 2020) 
2. France:      £ 387m                 2.8% (£376m in 2020) 
3. Taiwan:      £226m                   24.3% (£182m in 2020)
4. Singapore: £212m                 -14.3% (£247m in 2020)
5. China:        £198m                  84.9% (£107m in 2020)
6. Latvia:       £156m                 -11.8% (£176m in 2020)
7. Germany:   £148m                   6.4% (£139m in 2020)
8. India:        £146m                  42.9% (£102m in 2020) 
9. Japan:       £133m                  16.2% (£114m in 2020)
10. Spain:       £118m                   7.9% (£109m in 2020) 

The largest export destinations for Scotch Whisky (defined by volume, 70cl bottles equivalent) in 2021 were: 

1. France:            176m bottles               -0.1% (176m bottles in 2020) 
2. India:              136m bottles               44.3% (95m bottles in 2020) 
3. United States:  126m bottles               12.6% (112 m bottles in 2020)
4. Brazil:             82m bottles                 80.5% (45 m bottles in 2020) 
5. Japan:             56m bottles                 25.9% (45 m bottles in 2020) 
6. Spain:             48m bottles                  32.0% (36 m bottles in 2020) 
7. Mexico:           48m bottles                  13.0% (42 m bottles in 2020) 
8. Germany:        46m bottles                  7.2% (43 m bottles in 2020) 
9. Poland:            45m bottles                  19.4% (37 m bottles in 2020) 
10. Russia:            42m bottles                  40.7% (30 m bottles in 2020)