Customers welcome food VAT cut but distrust stores

On April 1, VAT on foodstuffs drops from 12 to 6 percent, welcomed by customers in Falun. Many remain skeptical about sustained price reductions. Grocery stores are intensively relabeling thousands of price tags ahead of the change.

The government is reducing VAT on foodstuffs from 12 to 6 percent on April 1 to press down food prices. In September 2025, it established a food price commission to monitor prices, which presented its first report at the end of February and plans another in September.

In Falun, store manager Peter Jansson at Citygross is working to change 12,566 price labels. "We have a job ahead of us to change 12,566 labels," he says. The change coincides with Easter week, a high-shopping period. "It's Easter week now, so it was a poorly chosen time if I may say so myself," Jansson adds.

Customers interviewed by SVT Dalarna in Falun welcome the reduction but are suspicious of the stores. Alexandra Diaz, about to shop in a store that lowered prices in advance, says: "I'm going to go into the store now and check the prices."

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Realistic depiction of Colombia's Health Minister defending alcohol and tobacco VAT hike at a meeting amid governors' protests over autonomy and revenues.
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Government defends alcohol and tobacco tax hike amid governors' opposition

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Colombia's Health Ministry backs the VAT increase on alcohol and tobacco from 5% to 19%, arguing it will protect public health by curbing consumption and related deaths. However, up to 20 governors oppose it, claiming the measure violates territorial autonomy and cuts revenues for health and education. The government has called a meeting for January 19, 2026, in Bogotá to clarify Decree 1474 of 2025.

Sweden's food VAT falls from 12% to 6% on April 1. Stores like Ica Maxi in Bromma are busily updating price tags on thousands of items ahead of Easter shopping. Owner Gustav Johansson warns of potential customer rushes.

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A Malmö-based restaurateur has criticized the upcoming food VAT cut from 12% to 6%, effective April 1. The change applies to groceries and takeout, but not restaurant meals. Hannes Kongstad of Kiosko import views it as benefiting large chains.

The Swedish government has halted the requirement for electricity network companies to introduce effect tariffs by January 1, 2027. The decision implements EU legislation but affects companies in Dalarna that have already introduced or planned such tariffs. Mother Jennifer Ehrndal in Falun says it impacts household budgets.

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Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned the Council of Ministers on Wednesday against measures on fuel VAT described as « as demagogic as they are useless ». This comes as oil prices rise over 5% due to the war in the Middle East, already affecting fishermen, farmers, and truckers. He also requested proposals to protect consumers from energy price volatility.

Region Stockholm is introducing a 25 percent discount on SL cards for all healthcare employees from the turn of the year. Due to technical reasons, the discount initially applies only to 90-day and annual passes, but politicians are working to include monthly tickets. This is part of the 2026 budget aimed at improving conditions for healthcare staff.

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The Department of Agriculture has warned retailers that unjustified hikes in basic food prices will not be tolerated, potentially leading to formal complaints and investigations. Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the agency will intensify price monitoring in major urban wet markets in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. This action addresses the accelerating inflation recorded in December.

 

 

 

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