The Ministry of Economy and Finance today in its budget address for 2026-2028 has proposed new taxes to reduce the consumption of unhealthy goods.
Reportedly, an excise tax of 15,000 soums per kilogram of potato chips has been proposed starting April 1, 2026. It will be paid by local business entities manufacturing and importing these goods.
The ministry stressed that the proposal had been prepared based on the World Health Organization's recommendations to step up efforts to counter excess weight and the Ministry of Health's recommendations to promote healthy eating.
Meanwhile, a progressive excise tax scale could be introduced for beverages containing sugar and sweeteners. The rates will depend on the sugar content per 100 ml of beverage. The following are envisaged:
- up to 5 grams of sugar – 500 soums per liter (current rate);
- from 5 to 10 grams – 515 soums;
- More than 10 grams — 535 soums.
For beverages containing sweeteners but not sugar, the rate will be 500 soums per liter.
For energy drinks and tonic drinks, the excise tax will rise from 2,000 to 2,150 soums per liter.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, an excise tax on potato chips and syrup concentrates will bring 88 billion soums to the budget, and progressive taxation of sugary drinks will bring in an additional 95 billion soums.
500-soum per liter excise tax will be imposed on carbonated drinks containing sugar, and 2,000 soums per liter on energy drinks, effective April 1, 2024.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance previously presented a draft tax policy for 2026: base rates will remain unchanged, while excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and marketplaces will be raised. Simplified reporting and tax breaks for small businesses have also been proposed.
