A squeeze on consumer spending, high taxes and turbulent global trade have been blamed for a downturn in whisky exports.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said global exports fell to £5.4bn last year, down 3.7% on 2023 amid warnings that without government support there will be a further fall.

SWA chief executive Mark Kent said: ““Distillers are being stretched to breaking point, as consumers bear the brunt of a 14% increase on the tax on every bottle of Scotch Whisky in the last 18 months alone.

“We continue to support UK Government to promote strong and open trade relations with key export markets around the world.

“But support for the industry’s global success starts at home. For too long, the industry has been taken for granted, with the misguided and simplistic belief that decisions taken in Scotland and the wider UK won’t impact an industry which exports 90% of its product, supports a large local supply chain and plays a valuable part in attracting tourists to Scotland. 

“The Scotch Whisky industry is a proven driver of economic growth, jobs and investment, and needs an environment free from the shackles of excessive taxation, regulation and uncertain operating costs. The UK government must redouble its efforts to back Scotch producers to the hilt, as promised by the Prime Minister.” 

India has regained its position from France as the world’s number one Scotch Whisky export market by volume, with 192m bottles exported, while the United States retains its long-held position as the largest export market by value, worth £971m in 2024.  

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, annual exports of Scotch Whisky have fluctuated, as global markets went through lockdown, reopening and recovery phases. Taking 2019 as the pre-Covid baseline, exports of Scotch Whisky have increased by 10% in value, with a 7% increase in volume.  

The industry has warned that global trading conditions remain turbulent at the beginning of 2025 and has called on the UK government to do what it can to mitigate growing domestic pressures on the industry.

This includes reducing excise duty on the industry, with 70% of the average priced bottle now collected in tax, reconsider the financial impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and accelerate trade talks to reduce tariffs and market access barriers in key markets, like India.