Law and Justice (PiS) is calling for a reduction of VAT on food to 0 percent, submitting a motion to convene a parliamentary session on the matter. However, the ruling camp shows little enthusiasm for this solution. Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk has instead pointed to fuel prices.
A zero VAT rate on basic food products – fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grain-based products – was in force in Poland from February 1, 2022, until the end of March 2024. As of April 1, 2024, by decision of the government of Donald Tusk, the 5 percent rate was reinstated. Today, a proposal has emerged to return to the previously tested solution.
“Law and Justice (PiS) is submitting a bill to reduce VAT on food from 5 percent to 0 percent and will request an extraordinary session of the Sejm on Tuesday,” said the party’s vice president and its candidate for prime minister, Przemysław Czarnek.
What Does the Government Say?
Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk told journalists that the government has already taken steps aimed at reducing prices at petrol stations by lowering VAT, excise duty, and introducing price caps. He emphasized that “a reduction in fuel prices will also have an impact on lowering food prices,” he said.
“We expect that this real decrease may even exceed one złoty, despite the fact that the situation in the Middle East is tense today. Of course, we are monitoring the situation and it will have an impact on these prices. This is the element we are focusing on today,” he added.
For now, however, high prices remain in shops, and there are limited prospects that the government will take real action on food prices.