The SNP government is set to miss a target to grow international exports by four years, Scottish Labour claims.

The party said the government looks likely to miss a target set in 2011 to deliver a 50per cent increase in international exports by 2017.

Export figures published last week found that, after five years, the value of those exports has risen by 21per cent, Scottish Labour said.

According to Labour analysis, if international exports rise by the average year-on-year increase since 2010 - 3.97per cent per year - the SNP will not meet the target until 2021.

To meet the target on time in the two years that remain, exports will need to increase by 23.5per cent over two years, the party said.

Labour said the figures also showed that Scotland trades four times as much with the rest of the UK than with countries in the EU.

Its economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "SNP ministers love a good target - but they seem incapable of hitting them.

"In 2011 we heard grand promises about how they would increase international exports by 50per cent, but they are set to miss the deadline by four years.

"We already know that we export far more to the rest of the UK than anywhere else in the world. The SNP government must ensure it is maximising the opportunities that come from having our biggest market on our doorstep.

"A Tory hard Brexit will make it harder for businesses that export to Europe, but the SNP's plans for another independence referendum will make it even more difficult for our businesses to grow. What they need is certainty.

"That is why Labour is calling on the SNP to drop its plans for a divisive second referendum, and will vote against any plans for one."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Whilst Scotland's total international exports, excluding oil and gas, have increased by £1 billion in a year the sudden decision on Brexit has become the biggest threat to jobs, trade, education and to our public services.

"Ministers have been clear that Scotland should not face a choice between exporting to the EU or UK, but access both markets. The EU market is eight times the size of that in the UK, which highlights the importance of remaining in the single market.

"The Scottish Government is working on an ambitious programme of internationalisation, including measures to broaden Scotland's export base and grow exports beyond traditional markets, such as establishing a new Trade Board, that will take forward this important work alongside new hubs in Dublin, Brussels, London and Berlin and our planned network of trade envoys."