Ukraine is going to introduce an excise tax on sweet water
21 September 2025 10:12
In the draft state budget for 2026, the government proposes not only a tax on online platforms but also an excise tax on sugary drinks.
This was reported by experts from the Center for Economic Strategy (CES), "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
It is expected to bring the state an additional UAH 8.5 billion annually.
The tax on sugar-sweetened beverages has long been an international practice, economists say.
More than 100 countries already apply this tax on sugary drinks. Such a step has a double effect: on the one hand, it fills the budget, and on the other hand, it stimulates a healthier lifestyle among citizens.
However, Ukraine’s approach has its own peculiarity: it plans to tax not only sugar drinks, but also drinks with sweeteners. This is rather an exception in the world, so the provision has already caused controversy.
It is worth recalling that the idea of introducing such an excise tax appeared in 2023, and it was mentioned in the Budget Declaration and the National Revenue Strategy. Initially, it was planned to be postponed, but now the government has accelerated the process by seeking additional resources to finance the Defense Forces.
For the tax to come into effect on January 1, 2026, the parliament must approve the changes and the president must sign the law.
According to the draft, the excise tax rate will be €0.1 per liter (approximately UAH 5). Accordingly, a two-liter bottle of popular cola may rise in price by about UAH 12.
