This position was presented by Eugen Reșcovoi, president of the Association of Water and Beverage Producers of Moldova, during consultations on the draft budgetary and fiscal policy.
“I believe this excise duty is unfair, as it is a selective and discriminatory measure, applied to a single industry and a limited category of products, without a comprehensive analysis of the economic and social impacts. The reason given for this tax, as we have been told, is to reduce the consumption of sugar-containing products, but products containing sweeteners are also targeted.
“The introduction of this excise duty will lead to a fall in sales volumes in our industry, and the effects will be felt throughout the entire economic chain. Consequently, we will have to cut back on investment, there will be increased pressure on jobs and wages, and a decline in consumption and the purchasing power of employees in the industry,” said Reșcovoi.
According to him, the industry is already facing a continuous rise in costs, including fuel costs, which directly affects the sector’s competitiveness, as logistics is a significant component of the final cost of products.
Another new measure is the Packaging Deposit Scheme
At the same time, 2027 coincides with the implementation of the Packaging Deposit Scheme, a reform which manufacturers say they support and for which they have already made significant investments.
“The overlap of these two measures affecting the same industry creates an excessive and, in our view, unnecessary burden. Calculations show that the introduction of the excise duty and the deposit scheme increases the shelf price of the product by 30–34 per cent. We estimate a drop in consumption of around 30 per cent across the industry,” said Eugen Reșcovoi.
For his part, Marcel Spatari, chair of the Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance, stated that the authorities would analyse the measure’s impact on consumption, but noted that the excise duty also serves a public health objective:
“I know that the drinks sector, of all sectors within the agri-food industry, is the most profitable. This is not just the case in Moldova. We understand the arguments. At the same time, this excise duty serves a social purpose by reducing the consumption of sugary drinks that have an impact on health.”
Industry representatives also stated that the sector is investing in innovation and developing sugar-free products, and that it supports the Government’s and the legislature’s public health objectives.
According to the draft budgetary and fiscal policy, from 2027, the excise duty on carbonated non-alcoholic drinks containing added sugar or any type of sweetener, as well as on non-alcoholic energy drinks containing taurine, caffeine or guarana, will be 1.60 lei per litre. In 2028, the rate will rise to 1.76 lei, and in 2029 – to 1.94 lei per litre.
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