Why Scotch whisky is the UK’s leading commodity

Industry chief calls for duty cut in George Osborne's next budget to support distillers

131101-whiskey.jpg
(Image credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Searching for a UK industry to raise your glass to? Look no further than Scotch whisky, which has seen its value to the UK economy increase by 1.6 per cent to more than £5bn.

According to a report from the Scotch Whisky Association, (SWA) the spirit is the leading commodity in terms of trade balance in the UK. The value of whisky exports was put at £4bn, with only £200m of its goods imported, giving it a trade balance of £3.8bn.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us