This equates to 1.3 billion bottles leaving Scotland, or roughly 43 per second.

The most significant blow has come from the United States, the industry’s premier export market. Following the introduction of a 10% tariff in April 2025, export volumes to the US plummeted by 15% between May and December. Total annual value to the US fell 4% to £933 million.

With a five-year suspension of previous Boeing-Airbus dispute tariffs set to expire this July – potentially raising rates to 35% – the SWA is urgently calling on the UK government to secure a permanent zero-tariff agreement.

While traditional strongholds showed signs of softening, new frontiers emerged:

• India: Now the industry’s largest market by volume (220m bottles) and third-largest by value (£286m), growing 15%.
• Europe: Reclaimed its spot as the top regional market by value (£1.5bn), despite a 9% volume decline.
• Turkey: Saw an impressive 43% surge in export value.
• Asia Pacific: Faced an 8.3% decline in value, though recent tariff reductions in China offer a glimmer of hope for 2026.

Beyond international trade barriers, Mark Kent, chief executive of the SWA, warned of an “increasingly uncompetitive” domestic tax and regulatory environment. Rising spirits duty, up 17% in three years, coupled with new packaging taxes, has pushed some distilleries to halt production, and “clearly impacted jobs, investment potential and economic growth”. 

Mr Kent said: “It’s said that form is temporary, but class is permanent. Scotch Whisky is an iconic product which appeals around the world, and the industry’s great resilience means that our long-term potential for continued growth is clear. 

“In order to realise this future potential, finalisation of a deal to return zero-tariff trade to the US, vigorously pursuing trade deals with Thailand, Mercosur and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and no further tax increases in the UK must be immediate priorities. It is within both the UK and Scottish Governments’ power to facilitate the supportive environment producers need, boosting and sustaining growth for Scotch Whisky and the wider economy, and we stand ready to work in partnership to achieve that aim.”