Scottish export revenue up 20 per cent

The statistics show that over the spanning the second half of last year and the first of this, Scotland exported around £27.1 billion in goods, a 21 per cent year-on-year increase.

The rate of the rise north of the border outstripped the UK average of a 15 per cent as the total value of UK exports hit £315 billion.

The figures also reveal that between April and the end of June Scotland exported around £7.1 billion of goods, up around £5.1 billion in the same period the previous year, which had fallen from £6.1 billion between April and the end of June 2015.

Rising exports of oil and gas have propelled the increase with the value climbing since the start of 2016 and having jumped from £1.5 billion between April and the end of June 2016 to £2.4 billion in the same period this year.

Scotland’s exports to the EU have been increasing since June 2016 while exports outside of the EU have risen since that start of that year.

Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “These figures show that Scotland’s goods exports continued to grow in this quarter, increasing by 21 per cent to £27.1 billion. This is higher than the overall UK rate and the highest of any UK nation.

“It is particularly heartening to note that this has been largely driven by growth in the oil and gas industry, with exports up 38 per cent, or £2.2 billion. This equates to roughly 30 per cent of all goods exported from Scotland and is evidence that confidence is returning to the sector.

“The fact that these figures show that 47 per cent of all Scotland’s goods are exported to the EU, reaffirms its value to Scotland as a trading partner, confirming that it remains a vital market for Scotland’s international exports.”

He criticised the UK Government for “cutting Scotland out of key decisions around Brexit and the wider economy”, citing Thursday’s Board of Trade meeting which has no representation from the Scottish Government.

He urged the UK Government to commit to staying in the EU single market and customs union warning that removing Scotland from these would cause “severe long-term economic damage”.

Meanwhile, overseas visitors to Scotland from North America spent £732 million in the 12 months to the end of June 2017, a 48 per cent jump compared to £495 million in the previous 12 months.

There was a 38 per cent increase in visits from North America, with more than 707,000 choosing Scotland as a destination in the 12 months to the end of June 2017 compared with the previous 12 months.

Across all international markets, there was a 11 per cent increase in visits in the 12 months to the end of June 2017 with spending rising too by 19 per cent to more than £2 billion.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:“The continued rise in overseas tourists is encouraging. They are spending more too, particularly those coming from North America.

“It is great news for our economy. Scotland offers an memorable visitor experience for people that choose our country as their holiday destination.”