The value of Scottish goods exported outwith the UK increased by 12.9% (£3.8 billion) to £32.8 billion in the year ending March 2019.

This was a higher growth rate than the overall UK figure of 3.5% and the highest percentage increase of any UK nation.

The surge was driven by increased exports of goods from Scotland to the EU, up 18.6% (£2.7 billion) to £17.4 billion, while total UK exports to the EU increased 4.4%.

The details are revealed in the HMRC’s latest Regional Trade Statistics.

Trade Minister Ivan McKee said: “These are very positive figures and show the importance of having free trade with the EU.

“The value of Scotland’s annual goods exports increased by 12.9% (£3.8 billion) to £32.8 billion in the year ending March 2019.

“This was a higher growth rate than the overall UK figure of 3.5% and the highest percentage increase of any UK nation.

“This was driven by increased exports of goods from Scotland to the EU, up 18.6% (£2.7 billion) to £17.4 billion. Total UK exports to the EU increased by 4.4%.

“These latest figures demonstrate the significance of the EU to Scotland’s international exports, highlighting the importance of the single market and customs union, which is eight times bigger in population terms than the UK market alone.”

In January 2019, a new report estimated Scotland’s international and rest of UK exports in 2017 (excluding oil and gas) rose 5.2% to £81.4 billion from the previous year.

The 2017 figures were estimated in a new report — National Statistics Publication: Export Statistics Scotland (ESS) 2017.