Poland’s spirits producers are setting themselves to lobby the government for a further cut in alcohol duties this year. The country’s National Spirits Council has said it will “lobby hard” for further reductions and a move towards EU duty levels.
In October, the government cut duty rates by 30% and a further cut is expected in March. “We are going to continue lobbying the ministry to reduce the tax further,” said Ryszard Jakubiuk, a member of the National Spirits Council board and the president of spirits producer, Polmos Zielona Gora.
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Calls for further cuts have been prompted by worsening financial results in the spirits sector. The government also views improved financial performance among distillers as advantageous as it seeks to complete its privatisation programme. “In order to achieve a better price for the Polmos companies, the ministry is attempting to improve their financial prospects,” said Bogna Sikorska, analyst at CDM Pekao.
