SWA welcomes Latin American free trade deals

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced two trade agreements with Colombia and Peru and its Association Agreement with Central America.

The European Union’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia/Peru and its Association Agreement with Central America, has been ratified by the European Parliament.

This will create a more level playing field for scotch whisky imports in these burgeoning markets.

Direct scotch exports to Central and South America reached £489 million last year, up 38% on 2010. Exports to Peru increased by 97% to £18m in 2011 and to Colombia they were up by 74% to £24m. Scotch Whisky is still a relatively small part of the spirits markets in these countries.

The Central America Association Agreement covers the markets of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

The main benefits of the agreements for the scotch whisky industry are:

- The gradual elimination of the tariffs on EU spirits, including scotch whisky. The tariff on whisky is currently 15% in Colombia and 9% in Peru. In Central America, tariffs range from 5% in Honduras to 30% in El Salvador.

- New mechanisms to tackle discriminatory taxation, such as excise taxes that favour locally produced spirits in Colombia and Peru.

- Robust legal protection for the Scotch Whisky Geographic Indication (GI) – this recognises scotch as a product only made in Scotland.

David Williamson, deputy director of international affairs at the SWA, said: “We have been pushing hard in favour of these trade agreements with Central America, Peru and Colombia. We are delighted they have now been ratified. The agreements will help deliver a more predictable and level playing field for scotch whisky producers.

“Tariff elimination, new mechanisms to tackle discriminatory taxes, and better legal protection for scotch whisky will all support industry growth in the region, and therefore the UK economy which is looking for an export-led recovery,” said Williamson.