2.4 per cent growth for Scottish export industry

In the third quarter of 2015, the Scottish Index of Manufactured Exports recorded growth in the Food, Beverages and Tobacco (3.6 per cent), Refined Petroleum, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Products (0.9 per cent), and Engineering and Allied Industries (2.4 per cent) sectors. For the Engineering and Allied Industries sector this is the first recorded positive growth in 2015.

In Quarter 3 there were falls in export volumes from two sectors: Metals and Metal Products (-15.7 per cent) and Non-Metallic Products, Other Manufacturing and Repair (-13.6 per cent), both of which had also recorded declines in export volumes in Q2.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Today’s figures continue the recent trend of export growth, which is consistent with the wider picture that has materialised for the Scottish manufacturing sector from the recent Q3 2015 GDP figures and business surveys over this period.

“It is encouraging to see strong quarterly growth in Food, Beverages & Tobacco and Engineering & Allied Industries sectors, and export growth of 2.4 per cent during the year. These statistics show however, that the Scottish economy, like that of the UK, is continuing to feel the effect of significant global headwinds that are being driven by muted global growth alongside the strong value of Sterling and current oil prices.

“Scotland is a hugely wealthy and productive country and our economy continues to flourish – as indicated by last week’s GDP figures – making it one of the best places for international trade and investment.

“The Scottish Government, through our enterprise agencies, is committed to strengthening and supporting Scotland’s economic links in overseas markets and will continue to invest in and promote exports to help build sustainable economic growth for Scotland.”