Finland to Levy Taxes on Sweets, Ice Cream, and Soft Drinks

According to a report on September 17, 2010 from a Helsinki newspaper of Finland, the Finnish Government indicated that as from the beginning of 2011, they will start to levy taxes on sweets and relevant desserts, including chocolate, cocoa products, and ice cream, the tax amount will be raised to EUR 1 per kilogram from current EUR 0.75 per kilogram. Thus the prices of the most of sweet food in Finland will increase by 1-15%, and the price growth of ice cream may exceed 15%.

In addition, the taxes on soft drinks will be raised to 7.5 euro cents per liter from current 4.5 euro cents per liter; therefore, the prices of soft drinks will increase by 0.5-5%.