UK & US: Scotch whisky exports hit by US tariffs

New figures from the Scotch Whisky Association show US shipments sliding sharply after tariffs returned, with producers warning that rising domestic costs and global trade pressures are pushing the industry to breaking point, The Drinks Business reported on February 12.

Scotch whisky exports to the United States have fallen significantly since tariffs were reintroduced, with shipment volumes down 15% between May and December 2025, according to fresh data from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

The figures, released as part of the SWA’s annual export report, show the impact of a 10% tariff imposed in April 2025 across all Scotch whisky categories. The US remains the industry’s most valuable export market, but exports are now lower both in value and volume compared with the previous year.

Globally, Scotch whisky exports fell by 0.6% in value in 2025 to £5.36bn, while volumes dropped by 4.3% to the equivalent of 1.3bn 70cl bottles, or 43 bottles per second.

This compares with exports of £5.4bn in 2024. The SWA attributed the decline to a combination of international tariffs, higher costs of doing business in the UK and softer consumer demand across key markets.

Full-year exports to the US declined by 4% in value to £933m in 2025, while volumes fell by 9.2% to 120m bottles. The effect of tariffs was more acute in the months following their introduction, with export value down 7% and volume down 15% between May and December.

The SWA warned that pressure could intensify further, with the sector nearing the end of a five-year suspension of a 25% single malt tariff linked to the Boeing–Airbus dispute. That tariff previously cost Scotch whisky producers more than £600m in lost exports between 2019 and 2021, and there are concerns tariffs could rise to 35% from July this year.

The trade body has called on the UK Government to finalise a deal with the US to restore zero-tariff trade, an issue it said has been raised directly with President Trump by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney.

12 February, 2026