Oil and gas boost sees Scottish overseas sales hit £28bn

Scotland’s export performance outstripped that of all countries in the UK over the period, with the increase largely down to a £2.6bn upturn in oil and gas exports.

Off shore business saw sales to other countries grow by 43.4 per cent over the last year, a performance that supplemented a an overall rise in exports from Scotland of 19.9 per cent.

Scotland’s increase in exports was ahead of Wales (18.9 per cent up), England (14.1 per cent) and Northern Ireland (13.3 per cent).

The figures – the latest regional trade statistics from HM Revenue and Customs – showed Scotland experienced a 21.7 per cent rise in goods being sold to the European Union.

Scotland’s Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the data reinforced the importance of remaining in the European single market.

He said: “HMRC regional trade statistics published today show that Scotland’s annual goods exports are growing faster than the UK as a whole – up 19.9 per cent on last year to a total of £28bn.

The increase in these returns was largely driven by an upturn in the fortunes of our oil and gas exports, which grew by 43.4 per cent or £2.6bn.

“Scotland’s goods exports to the EU have also increased by 21.7 per cent to £13.4bn, further emphasising the vital importance of the EU single market – our largest trading partner – to our economic prosperity.”