AN SNP MP has called on the UK government to “put Scotch whisky front and centre” during trade talks with the beverage’s largest market.
The UK Government is in ongoing talks with India in negotiations over a potential free trade deal this week.
A recent report by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) showed that India is Scotland’s number one Scotch whisky market by volume, with 192 million bottles exported despite 150% tariffs placed on Scotch Whisky products by the Indian government.
The SWA claims a trade deal with India has the potential to increase Scotch whisky exports to the country by £1 billion over the next five years while supporting an additional 1200 jobs at home.
The figures came amidst ‘turbulent times’ for the whisky industry with yearly export figures indicating a decrease of 3.7% on 2023 exports by value.
Graham Leadbitter, whose Speyside constituency is home to 49 whisky distilleries, urged the government to take rapid action to capitalise on rising sales of whisky products in India.
Commenting, Leadbitter said: “With India revealed as the number one importer of our number one export it makes it all the more important the UK government put Scotch Whisky front and centre of trade talks.
“The fact exports to India are so high despite the enormous tariffs levied on Scotch Whisky by the Indian government shows the incredible economic potential of our national drink in the country.
“We should be urgently capitalising on the success of Scotch Whisky in India and doing everything we can to secure a deal that industry bodies predict will bring in an additional £1 billion and create 1200 new jobs here in Scotland.”
The UK has been engaged in negotiations with India over a potential free trade deal since 2022, with talks stalling for the snap election in July 2024 until resuming again in January this year.
Leadbitter continued: “Securing such a deal would go a long way to reversing the damage levelled on the industry by this UK government’s economically illiterate tax hikes, and boost the sector’s confidence going forward.
“The rising exports of whisky show just how fortunate we are to be the home of such a world-renowned product. It’s important we show the same recognition of just how great our whisky is that the rest of the world does, and give the industry the support it needs to flourish both at home and abroad.”
