Scotch whisky exports hit a record ￡4.3 billion (US$6.5 billion) in 2012, an increase of 87 percent in the last 10 years. Rising demand for Scotch whisky from both mature and emerging markets saw the value of exports grow for the eighth consecutive year. Scotch whisky leads the way for British food and drink in overseas markets—forming about 80 percent of Scottish food and drink exports and a quarter of UK food and drink exports. Defying continuing global economic pressures, the total value of Scotch whisky exports grew by 1 percent last year to reach ￡4.27 billion (US$6.5 billion). Scotch whisky is now worth ￡135 (US$205) a second to the UK balance of trade.
