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Scotch Whisky Exports Rebound In The First Half

August 19, 2021

After a difficult year in 2020 owing to the pandemic, Scotch whisky exports grew 31% to £1.97 billion ($2.71b) on volume up 42% to 642 million bottles in the first half of this year, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The category still has ground to make up compared with 2019, however, with value coming in 10% lower than in the first half of that year.

The U.S. remains Scotch whisky’s top export market in value terms, but it has been hampered not only by the pandemic but also tariffs on single malts, which were instituted in October 2019 and then suspended this past March. Scotch shipments to the U.S. increased 3.9% to £323 million ($445m) through June of 2021, year-on-year. But the category still isn’t quite back to its pre-pandemic volume.

According to the SWA, “it will take time, investment, and support for exports to the U.S. to regain their strength following a devastating 16 months.” Scotch shipments to the U.S. remain down by 34% in value terms when compared to the same period in 2019.—Daniel Marsteller

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Tagged : Scotch Whisky Association, scotch whisky imports, SWA

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