A decline in the export of electronics was recorded

However, despite the slight quarterly decline, an annual rise of 3.5% was reported over the last year.

It is the fourth successive quarter showing a year-on-year increase.

A quarterly drop of 3.5% in the figures for electrical and instrument engineering was the main reason for the fall.

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said he was "heartened" by the annual growth.

"Annual growth rates give the best indication of underlying trends, which is why the growth in our manufactured exports over the past year is so encouraging," he said.

"The positive achievement by Scottish exporters over the year highlights that many Scottish companies are in a position to compete in the global economic environment."

However, Murdo Fraser, Tory deputy leader and enterprise spokesman, called on the executive to reduce running costs for exporters to help drive growth.

"For the second quarter in a row we have seen a decline in exports of almost 1% which is extremely worrying, and shows that the recovery we saw at the end of last year has not been sustained, " he said.