Scotland’s Exports Increase

Scotland’s international exports increased by 3.6 per cent in 2015, while exports to the rest of the UK also increased, up 4.4 per cent.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Export Statistics Scotland 2015, which provides estimates of the cash value of Scotland’s exports of goods and services, by industry and destination in 2015. These show that in 2015, Scotland’s international exports (excluding oil and gas) increased by £1 billion (3.6 per cent) to £28.7 billion.

The largest industry for exports was the manufacture of food and beverages, worth £4.8 billion in 2015, 16.8 per cent of all international exports.

International exports to countries within the European Union (EU) were estimated at £12.3 billion, which is 43 per cent of total international exports. This is an increase of £520 million from the previous year (4.4 per cent). The increase was driven by an increase in the export of petroleum and chemical products.

International exports to non-EU countries were estimated at £16.4 billion, which is 57 per cent of total international exports. This is an increase of £485 million from the previous year (3.0 per cent).

Scottish exports to the rest of the UK in 2015 (excluding oil and gas) were estimated at £49.8 billion, an increase of £2.1 billion (4.4 per cent) since 2014. This increase was driven by an increase in the export of utilities (electricity, gas, water etc).

Total international and rest of the UK exports in 2015 (excluding oil and gas) were estimated at £78.6 billion, up £3.1 billion (4.1 per cent) from 2014. Exports to the rest of the UK accounted for 63 per cent of this total, EU exports accounted for 16 per cent and non-EU exports accounted for 21 per cent.

The USA continues to be Scotland’s top international trading partner with (£4.6 billion). Within the EU, the Netherlands (£2.3 billion) was again, the largest market, followed by France (£1.8 billion) and Germany (£1.8 billion).

Background

The full statistical publication is available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/ESSPublication

This publication presents the most recent data for exports from Scotland, including revised data, for 2002 to 2015. These published estimates relate to both international and rest of the UK exports and exclude exports of oil and gas extracted from the UK continental shelf.

Answers to some of the most common questions on Scottish export statistics are available on our FAQs section of the website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/ESSFAQ

Further information on Scottish economic statistics is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy

The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. More information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About

Contact:

Comms: Emma Innocent – 0131 2443054