Food and drink is Scotland's most successful export, official figures have revealed.

The sector accounted for £4bn of an estimated £22bn of exports to international markets in 2010, excluding oil and gas.

The whisky industry contributed around £3.3bn of the food and drink exports.

Figures contained in the 2010 Global Connections Survey, released by Scotland's chief statistician, show that overall exports rose by £355m since 2009 to £22bn.

More than £13bn was attributable to firms in the manufacturing sector while £7bn came from the service sector.

After food and drink, the next most successful exporting industries in 2010 were chemicals (£3bn), business services (£2,5bn), electrical and instrument engineering (£1.9bn) and the mechanical engineering sector (£1.6bn).

The USA remains Scotland's top international export destination, accounting for £3.5bn of the market.

The Netherlands was Scotland's second top destination for exports, followed by France, Germany and Belgium.

According to the figures, almost £10bn of all Scottish exports were destined for the European Union (EU).

However, while exports to the EU and North America grew between 2009 and 2010, exports to Asia fell over the same period, by £330m.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said the survey showed "welcome growth" in Scottish exports but said there was no room for complacency in the current economic climate.

He said: "The global economic downturn shows how interconnected world markets are, and this reinforces the need for the public sector to work effectively with the business community to emphasise and enhance the strengths of Scotland's economy, and to help indigenous companies grow and export.

"New and emerging economies in Asia, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe present new opportunities to capitalise on Scotland's strengths.

"Improving our access to these growth markets will open up Scottish exports to new customers."