Is the storm passing? - 2025 Export volumes of Scotch Whisky

Commercial Spirits Intelligence No. 133

Following a stellar year of production and sales in 2022 and the subsequent decline since then, the release of 2025 export volume and value data by the HMRC is a timely reminder that sales of Scotch whisky (and all global spirits) continue to remain under pressure. The headline data was as follows:

· Export value of Scotch Whisky in 2025 was £5.4bn, down from £5.6bn in 2024. This is a 1% fall in value.

· Export volume of Scotch Whisky in 2024 was 105 million 9-litre cases (equivalent), down from 109 million in 2024. This is a fall of 4.5%.

· Compound growth rates for value were ~ 4% in the period from 2000 to 2025.

· Compound growth rates for volume were ~1% in the period from 2000 to 2025.

We look at the implications of this data. Who are the winners and who are the losers over the last 12 months? Which categories are key and how are they evolving? Where is the most value to be found? Quite a lot going on under the headlines here that most people do not see. We do the work, so you do not have to rely on selected numbers from the media.

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash