US tariffs soured Scotch whisky exports last year, with data released today (12 February) showing global shipments down 4%.

According to trade body The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) the value of exports dipped 0.6% but fell 4.3% in volume terms.

Scotch exports were valued at £5.36bn, with the equivalent of 1.3bn bottles sold.

Volumes to the US dropped more than 9%, hit by US tariffs on UK exports. The value of sales to the US decreased 4% to £933m.

The US levied its 10% tariff on UK exports in April. Between May and December, Scotch export volumes across to the Atlantic were down 15%, with sales by value 7% lower.

SWA chief executive Mark Kent said: “The international trading environment continues to be challenging for Scotch whisky producers, with tariffs and geo-political tension causing significant turbulence in some key markets.”

Exports to France – the second-largest market for Scotch in value and volume terms – declined on both metrics. The value of sales to France fell 3.6% while volumes slid 14%.

On a brighter note, sales to India rose 15% to £286m on the back on a 15% rise in volumes.

Measured in volumes, India is the largest market for Scotch, with sales standing at 220 million 70cl bottles last year, the SWA data showed.