“The government reaches into the pocket of beer consumers” – alerts the Association of Brewing Industry Employers in Poland – Polish breweries. In a commentary on the chosen changes, published on Friday on the LinkedIn platform, he indicates that with a huge surprise and disappointment, information about planned excise duty increase – up to three times higher than planned in the excise map (15 percent instead of 5 % in 2026).
“If these changes come into force, the excise duty will increase by as much as 60 percent by 2027 in the last 5 years. In addition, the brewing industry will be borne by a sugar tax increase and the cost of implementing the bailing system. This will entail a further decline in sales by approx. 20 percent (7 million HL) in the industry that has been shrinking for years. This is a blow not only in breweries, but also in small shops, agriculture, gastronomy and – above all – in ordinary consumers for whom beer will become even more expensive” – we read.
See also: The government wants a higher excise duty on alcohol. “The industry has a headache”
Polish breweries write that “The government breaks the word“, because the stability and predictability of the law was promised. And higher excise duty is to come into force at the beginning of 2026, without maintaining the promised six -month transition period.
Higher excise duty for alcohol. Will breweries in Poland disappear?
Industry representatives warn that “Browary in Poland will disappear and the beer will be brewed by German breweries“They point out that the beer market has been shrinking for years. Currently, consumption has been the lowest in 20 years.
“If excise duty increases so drastically, from next year beer will become so expensive that many Poles will simply not be able to afford it. And what is worse – more and more beer will be brought, e.g. from Germany, where excise duty is three times lower. Polish breweries will be closed, and thousands of people will lose their jobs” – Polish breweries warn.
In their opinion The budget will not gain, and Poles will lose. “As a result of an increase in excise duty, a decrease in beer sales can reach about 20 percent (another 7 million hectoliters). This means that Receipts from excise duty will not increase, and AZ VAT will fall by at least PLN 1 billion a year” – they calculate.
