Food and drink products accounted for £4 billion of Scotland’s international exports in 2010, according to the latest official statistics.

When oil and gas were taken out of the equation, the nation’s exports amounted to a combined sum of around £22 billion.

Among the country’s chief assets in 2010 was its whisky industry. While some of Scotland’s traditions can get lost in translation, the alcoholic drink is not one of them. It made up £3.3 billion of the value generated from food and drink exports in 2010.

The research from Scotland’s chief statistician also showed that between 2009 and 2010, the value of the country’s exports went up by £355 million in total.

The manufacturing sector helped to create over £13 billion worth of this wealth.

Of Scotland’s export partners, the US is the most lucrative, as it accounted for £3.5 billion worth of exports in 2010. It was followed by the Netherlands and France.