![\"Scotch-Masters-2024\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Scotch-Masters-2024-640x404.jpg\")
Whisky is the UK\u2019s leading food and drink export<\/p>\nUS exports of UK-made spirits saw their export value plunge by 60% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 as the category\u2019s imports from the States soared.<\/p>\n
Whisky is the UK\u2019s leading food and drink export<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s Food and Drink Federation published its latest Trade Snapshot report for the three months of 2026, covering export data for the nation\u2019s biggest food and drink products.<\/p>\n
Whisky is the UK\u2019s leading food and drink export globally, while gin was the 10th-largest.<\/p>\n
On a global scale, exports of UK whisky and gin saw their volumes rise by mid-single digits in Q1. Whisky exports grew by 5.4% and gin exports were up by 4.4%.<\/p>\n
In terms of value, whisky only dropped by 1.1% to \u00a31.2 billion (US$1.58bn), but gin managed to grow by 2.2% to \u00a3133.3 million (US$176.2m).<\/p>\n
The report noted that UK-made whisky saw its export volumes to the US plunge by 14.% in Q1, while value plummeted by more than a quarter (27%) to \u00a3182.1m (US$240.7m).<\/p>\n
After whisky and salmon, the third-largest UK food and drink export to the US was gin, which saw a greater decrease in volumes. The juniper spirit\u2019s volumes tumbled by 24%, while its value dropped by 17.8% to \u00a339.6m (US$52.3m).<\/p>\n
Spirits, which was the ninth-largest UK food and drink export to the States, saw a staggering 60% drop in value to \u00a312.1m (US$16m). Volume-wise, it slipped by 37.3%.<\/p>\n
The FDF noted that the removal of 10% tariffs on UK whisky<\/a> from the US \u201coffers an opportunity to grow exports\u201d.<\/p>\n Exports of UK-made wine also struggled in the US, falling by 64.7% in value and 47.8% in volume. It was just ahead of spirits in the ranking of top 10 UK food and drink exports to the US, holding the eighth spot.<\/p>\n In total, the value of UK food and drink exports fell by 4.8% globally in Q1. Volumes slumped by 8.9% \u2013 its third-lowest level since 2000.<\/p>\n The FDF said American food and drink makers are strengthening their position in the UK, where imports grew by 11.5%.<\/p>\n Brits show penchant for American spirits<\/p>\n Looking at the top 10 food and drink imports from the US, wine was the fourth biggest, while spirits was the seventh largest, followed by whiskey in eighth place.<\/p>\n The FDF highlighted that salmon, spirits and chocolate from the UK all saw strong growth in US exports.<\/p>\n Q1 exports of US spirits to the UK skyrocketed by 144.5% in value to \u00a316.9m (US$22.3m), and volumes grew by 202.2%.<\/p>\n On the other hand, US whiskey exports to the UK saw a similar trend to its British counterpart, falling by 24.2% in value to \u00a313.2m (US$17.5m). In terms of volume, US whiskey exports were down by 13.7%.<\/p>\n UK-made wine also saw its Q1 export volume and value to the US fall by 14.9% and 19.5% (\u00a323.6m\/US$31.2m), respectively.<\/p>\n Looking at the EU market, UK whisky exports saw an uptick of 0.9% in value to \u00a3334.3m (US$441.9m), while volumes dipped by 2.7%.<\/p>\n Karen Betts, chief executive of the FDF, said: \u201cThe costs of producing food and drink in the UK are higher than in many competitor economies, from energy to employment, and constantly changing regulation only adds to these.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is plenty the government can do to improve the competitiveness of our food and drink exporters, many of which are SMEs [small- to medium-sized enterprises], from helping companies to access the benefits of trade deals to lowering the cost of doing business in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking back to 2025, exports of UK whisky saw both volume and value fall<\/a>, while gin grew in both areas, the FDF revealed in March.<\/p>\n Related news<\/p>\n \n \n
\n UK gov uses tags to detect criminal drinking
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n
\n El Supremo Rum sets eyes on UK on-trade
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n