London, March 31 (IANS): The Scotch whisky industry of Britain earned nearly 3.5 billion pounds in 2010 in worldwide exports.
A growing demand in the Far East and Africa led to a rise in exports by 10 percent, the Daily Express reported.
Over one billion bottles of Scotch were exported, with the US buying drinks worth 500 million pounds ($800 million).
Sales of single malt drinks rose to 577 million pounds, while bottled blended Scotch whisky sales rose by five percent to 2.6 billion pounds.
The biggest jump in exports was to Africa, where demand rose by 40 percent. Sales also increased in Asia, Eastern Europe and Mexico.
"Scotch whisky is a world-class industry that consistently delivers for Britain," Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said.