The UK Department of International Trade has pegged a 49.2 per cent increase in the export of Scotch whisky, gin, and other UK drinks to India in the last year ending February 2019. Calling the demand in India a "massive increase", it said the country along with other non-EU countries accounted for 63.4 per cent of all exports. The department also said the increase in drinks exports to India grew by 49.2 per cent to £179 million.
Figures reveal a spike in beverage exports in October and November by approximately 23 per cent above the 12-monthly average for drinks exports, as people across the world stocked up on the liquor ahead of the festive period. The department, which has renewed focus on exports to India in the context of Brexit, said overall UK exports of beverages, which include British gin, vodka, and Scotch whisky, reached a high of £8.3 billion in the year to February 2019, increasing by 7 per cent on the previous year.
The US, meanwhile, remains the top destination for UK drinks, growing by 3.9 per cent to £1.8 billion. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the "Figures show that despite the challenging economic environment, people across the world are continuing to demand high-quality British exports." Sarah Dickson of the Scotch Whisky Association informed, "Last year, 41 bottles of Scotch whisky were shipped from Scotland every second to around 180 global markets, with an export value of £4.7 billion."
