Skip to the content

24 March 2022

Opportunity for Scotch Whisky in UK trade talks with Canada

Opportunity for Scotch Whisky in UK trade talks with Canada
Canada is the 12th largest market for Scotch Whisky - and is growing.

Commenting as the UK and Canada have launched negotiations over a new free trade agreement, SWA International Director Ian McKendrick said: “The launch of negotiations on an updated UK-Canada free trade deal is a great opportunity to secure fairer access for Scotch Whisky to the Canadian market.

“Canada is a growing market for Scotch Whisky, reaching over £100m for the first time last year and exports have grown by 65% over the last decade.  Over 60% of Scotch Whisky exports to Canada are Single Malt Scotch Whisky, making Canada a particularly important export destination for many smaller Scotch Whisky distillers that only produce Single Malt.

“We look forward to working with negotiators to agree a comprehensive deal which addresses longstanding practices by certain provincial Liquor Boards which currently limit market access for Scotch Whisky.

“Canada is a whisky loving nation, and with fairer access secured through the free-trade deal the industry is confident that we can continue to grow direct exports of Scotch Whisky in the years ahead.”

-ends

Ian McKendrick

Ian McKendrick