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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scotch whisky exports buck downturn | Scotch whisky exports buck downturn |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| By Hugh Pym Economics Editor, BBC News | By Hugh Pym Economics Editor, BBC News |
| The scotch whisky industry is optimistic about its prospects even with the downturn in the world's leading economies. Exports in the first half of this year were up 14%. | The scotch whisky industry is optimistic about its prospects even with the downturn in the world's leading economies. Exports in the first half of this year were up 14%. |
| The consignment of whisky is bound for China | The consignment of whisky is bound for China |
| Today a consignment of scotch bound for China leaves the port of Greenock near Glasgow in the BBC Box. | Today a consignment of scotch bound for China leaves the port of Greenock near Glasgow in the BBC Box. |
| The BBC Box is a year-long project to illustrate the growth in world trade. | The BBC Box is a year-long project to illustrate the growth in world trade. |
| It was launched on Monday at Southampton - equipped with GPS satellite transmitter. | It was launched on Monday at Southampton - equipped with GPS satellite transmitter. |
| Its progress can be tracked through the BBC website during its voyages around the world over the next year. | Its progress can be tracked through the BBC website during its voyages around the world over the next year. |
| The aim of the project is to lift a veil on the complex patterns of global trade. | The aim of the project is to lift a veil on the complex patterns of global trade. |
| To China | To China |
| First stop is a scotch whisky bottling plant in Paisley. Here a consignment of Chivas Regal has been bottled for the Chinese market. | First stop is a scotch whisky bottling plant in Paisley. Here a consignment of Chivas Regal has been bottled for the Chinese market. |
| Export sales are booming - and the company is working flat out to meet demand from overseas customers. Some 150 containers come and go every working day. | Export sales are booming - and the company is working flat out to meet demand from overseas customers. Some 150 containers come and go every working day. |
| Scotch whisky is bottled for customers in China | |
| Even with the slowdown in many leading economies, demand for scotch is holding up. | Even with the slowdown in many leading economies, demand for scotch is holding up. |
| There is robust growth in most of the major markets, including North America. | There is robust growth in most of the major markets, including North America. |
| Total Scotch sales in China have risen dramatically, from just £1m in 2000 to £40m last year. | Total Scotch sales in China have risen dramatically, from just £1m in 2000 to £40m last year. |
| It is thought another £30m or so is sold on from consignments arriving in Singapore. | It is thought another £30m or so is sold on from consignments arriving in Singapore. |
| New investment | New investment |
| Distilling capacity is being increased at its fastest rate since the early 1970s. The Box will leave from the port of Greenock | Distilling capacity is being increased at its fastest rate since the early 1970s. The Box will leave from the port of Greenock |
| A new malt distillery was opened in Girvan by William Grant and Sons last year. | A new malt distillery was opened in Girvan by William Grant and Sons last year. |
| Diageo is planning a major new plant on Speyside. | Diageo is planning a major new plant on Speyside. |
| Mothballed plants are also coming back into operation. | Mothballed plants are also coming back into operation. |
| More than £500m of new investment has been announced over the last 18 months, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. | More than £500m of new investment has been announced over the last 18 months, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. |
| High spirits | High spirits |
| The industry says there are just more than 9,000 people directly employed and another 31,000 in related trades such as bottle manufacture. | The industry says there are just more than 9,000 people directly employed and another 31,000 in related trades such as bottle manufacture. |
| But it admits that when sales increase employment levels remain static. | But it admits that when sales increase employment levels remain static. |
| The Box, with its cargo of whisky, is bound for the port of Greenock. | The Box, with its cargo of whisky, is bound for the port of Greenock. |
| There it will be loaded onto a container ship - ultimate destination Shanghai. | There it will be loaded onto a container ship - ultimate destination Shanghai. |
| The industry's upbeat mood is good news for the British economy, which needs whatever export growth it can get as demand and activity falters in other sectors. | The industry's upbeat mood is good news for the British economy, which needs whatever export growth it can get as demand and activity falters in other sectors. |
| The weaker pound can only lift spirits even higher. | The weaker pound can only lift spirits even higher. |