Ukraine will introduce an excise tax on drinks with sugar in the coming years, - media

Ukraine will introduce an excise tax on drinks with sugar in the coming years, - media

Ukraine intends to introduce an excise tax on drinks with sugar in the coming years. It is included in the budget declaration for 2025-2027.

Within three years, the state intends to implement measures to reform tax policy and tax administration, provided for by the National Revenue Strategy until 2030. An excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is one of them.

The Ministry of Health supports the introduction of an excise tax, since constant consumption of sugary carbonated drinks leads to the development of diabetes, overweight, obesity, etc. A liter of such a drink often contains more than the daily requirement of sugar.

In 2023, two bills on the taxation of sweetened drinks were registered in the Verkhovna Rada: No. 9032-1 and No. 9033-1.

The first, through changes to the Tax Code, introduces a tax rate on mineral and carbonated waters with added sugar and other sweeteners, aromatic substances in the amount of 0.1 euros (about 4 UAH) per liter of drink (in Belgium this tax is 0.53 euros, in Poland - 0.19 euros).

The second determines that the funds received from the tax are planned to be used to implement programs to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases, as well as to support the child nutrition program in schools, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.