Scotch Exports Flat Amid China’s Dropoff, But Single Malt Propels U.S. To Record High

Scotch exports were flat by value in 2013 due largely to a sharp dropoff in China, but the category reached a record-high in the U.S. as its single malt segment continued to expand markedly. Scotch’s global export value came in at £4.26 billion ($7.1b) in 2013, compared to £4.27 billion ($7.1b) in 2012, according to the Scotch Whisky Association, even as export volume grew by 2.5% to the equivalent of roughly 1.23 billion bottles.

Hampered by the government crackdown on luxury goods, China’s Scotch market suffered a value decline of nearly 30%, while exports to other key Asia-Pacific markets—including Taiwan, South Korea and Japan—were also down by double-digits.

However, outside Asia-Pacific, Scotch exports performed significantly better, due largely to single malt’s 5% export bump to a record £820 million ($1.37b).

Single malt drove value growth in the U.S. in 2013. The U.S.—Scotch’s largest market by value—achieved 8% sales growth last year, to an all-time high of £819 million ($1.37b). Led by Pernod Ricard’s The Glenlivet, single malt continues to rise quickly in the U.S. In 2012, category volume advanced by 7%, according to Impact Databank, and it appears as if similar progress occurred in 2013.

Tagged : Pernod Ricard, Scotch whisky, Scotch Whisky Association, The Glenlivet

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2025 ESTIMATES AND 2030 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2025 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.