December 9th, 2009 | 
Author: France is becoming a big fan of Scotch whisky, with sales up 10 million from last year. Scotch whisky is proving increasingly fashionable in France, and it is now the number one market for the spirit with 126 million bottles bought so far this year, 10 million more than in 2008.
Exports to France, South Africa and Venezuela increased in value, and France beat the US in terms of income.
According to a spokesman for the Scotch Whisky Association, the sales of premium whisky acts as a barometer of a country’s economic state. For example, sales to Venezuela increased due to its economic links to the oil and gas industry.
Chief executive for Scotch Whisky Association, Gavin Hewitt said: “After a tough first quarter, Scotch whisky exports have performed well so far in 2009. We look forward to a good last quarter. Distillers have been resilient through the recession, investing for future opportunities and underscoring Scotch whisky’s increasing importance to the domestic economy. Scotch whisky exports – which already represent 20 per cent of Scotland’s manufactured exports – are showing the way in bringing the Scottish economy out of recession.
Figures published yesterday show that, in the first nine months of 2009, Scotland exported 807 million bottles, up 1.5 per cent, or ten million more bottles than last year. The total value of sales was £2.1 billion between January and September. However, the value of exports fell about £80 million, or 3.5 per cent.
Middle to upper class French holiday makers are also contributing to the rise of sales in France, as while on holiday one can enjoy a ‘Scotch on the rocks’.
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