New figures show that Scotland's food and drink exports have grown by 10% in a year, with sales hitting £1,200 million in the first three months of 2017, up £124 million on the same period in 2016.
Scotch whisky and Scottish salmon topped the UK export chart in the first quarter of 2017, making up 22% of the value of total food and drink exports.
Fish and seafood was the largest food sector, up £48.3 million (30.8%).
The European Union remains Scotland's largest export market, growing by £50 million.
Kenneth Gibson said:
"The food and drink sectors are increasingly important to the economies of Ayrshire and Scotland. Such strong growth as we have seen over the last year is heartening.
"The increase in exports into European Union countries again stresses the importance of Scottish involvement in Brexit negotiations."
ENDS
