Why Scotch whisky is the UK’s leading commodity

Industry chief calls for duty cut in George Osborne's next budget to support distillers

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(Image credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Searching for a UK industry to raise your glass to? Look no further than Scotch whisky, which has seen its value to the UK economy increase by 1.6 per cent to more than £5bn.

According to a report from the Scotch Whisky Association, (SWA) the spirit is the leading commodity in terms of trade balance in the UK. The value of whisky exports was put at £4bn, with only £200m of its goods imported, giving it a trade balance of £3.8bn.

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