Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health has proposed reforms to the country’s excise tax system targeting sugar-sweetened beverages and foods with high salt content in an effort to reduce their consumption and improve public health.
The proposal was discussed on March 9 at a meeting involving representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and leading business associations.
Currently, Kyrgyzstan applies a uniform excise tax of 3 soms (about $0.03) per liter on sugar-sweetened non-alcoholic beverages, regardless of their sugar content.
The Ministry of Health proposes introducing a differentiated excise tax system in which the rate would depend on the amount of sugar in a beverage:
- Up to 5 grams of sugar per 100 ml – 5 soms (about $0.06) per liter
- 5-8 grams per 100 ml – 7 soms (about $0.08) per liter
- 8-11 grams per 100 ml – 9 soms (about $0.10) per liter
- More than 11 grams per 100 ml – 11 soms (about $0.12) per liter
Officials say the new structure would encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar content in beverages, promote healthier consumer habits, and decrease consumption of high-sugar products.
The ministry also proposes introducing a fixed excise tax of 20 soms (about $0.20) per liter on energy drinks, citing their high levels of sugar and caffeine and the potential health risks they pose, particularly for adolescents.
Authorities are also considering similar differentiated taxation for foods with high salt content, including fried and salty snacks such as chips, salted crackers, and similar products.
The goal is to discourage excessive consumption of high-salt foods and reduce related health risks.
Representatives of the World Health Organization and UNICEF have expressed support for the proposal.
WHO representative Alina Altymyshova noted that similar measures are widely used around the world. According to her, 116 countries already apply various forms of taxation or regulation on foods and beverages high in sugar and salt to help prevent noncommunicable diseases and promote healthier diets.
She also highlighted numerous international studies demonstrating the negative health impacts of regular consumption of sugary beverages, particularly among children and adolescents.
Deputy Health Minister Temirbek Erkinov warned that unhealthy diets are becoming a growing public health challenge in Kyrgyzstan.
According to data from the National Statistical Committee for 2023, about 9% of children in Kyrgyzstan, roughly one in eleven, are overweight.
Other indicators highlight widespread unhealthy dietary habits:
- 75% of children aged 6-23 months consume unhealthy foods
- 78% regularly drink sugary beverages
- 16% do not consume fruits and vegetables daily
More than 84,000 people in Kyrgyzstan are currently registered with diabetes, with the number increasing by 5,000 to 7,000 cases each year.
“The issue of nutrition and related diseases is becoming one of the most serious challenges for the public health system,” Erkinov said.
Health officials believe measures to reduce the consumption of foods high in sugar and salt should become an important tool in preventing noncommunicable diseases and improving the country’s overall public health.
