July 3, 2015 – Japan’s growing appetite for Scotch whisky and cereal goods helped fuel the export surge which was worth £90.3m in 2014 compared to £81.9m in 2013.
Scotland’s external affairs secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “The significant rise in Scotland’s food and drinks exports to Japan shows the country has a huge appetite for our produce.
“We’ve seen a 10% rise in food and drink exports to Japan in just one year, and since 2007 we’ve experienced growth of 74%, driven mainly by a rising demand for Scotch whisky.
“Further increasing our food and drink offering in Japan is a priority for the Scottish Government. We want more of our friends in Japan to enjoy and experience Scotland’s fantastic larder, which boasts some of the best natural produce in the world.
“I look forward to seeing more of our world-class produce in Japan’s stores and on its menus.”
The growth in exports has also benefited from an increase in marketing by Scottish producers in Asia.
Last October, Scottish Development International had launched a major marketing campaign in Japanese supermarkets to promote Scottish mackerel.