The challenges faced by the beer industry during the Covid 19 pandemic, as well as proposals and initiatives for the recovery and stabilization of this industry, were the topics of conversation between Marko Cadez, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the Serbian Brewers Association.
Representatives of the Association of Brewers of Serbia, which brings together Apatin Brewery, Carlsberg Serbia, Heineken and Sladaru Suflet Serbia, presenting the proposals, pointed out that the stabilization of excise duties is a condition for growth, innovation and new investments.
As they pointed out, stabilization, as well as changing the method of calculating the excise tax, would enable greater predictability and easier business, without a negative impact on employees and end consumers, as well as stable budget revenues, it is stated on the PKS website.
Among the proposals are the reduction of VAT for the HORECA sector, subsidizing the price of renting office space for HORECA and reducing the water fee.
Hop production
During the discussion, it was pointed out the possibility and need to develop a special type of support that would additionally interest domestic farmers and business systems and help them start more intensive hop production for the needs of the Serbian brewing industry.
The Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and the Association of Brewers of Serbia will prepare a detailed analysis and proposals for further steps with the goal of realizing the agreed goals, it was stated.
Waste management
At the meeting in PKS, they discussed the deposit system of waste management, and as it was assessed, it is necessary to make a comprehensive analysis that would consider all aspects of the introduction of this system for consumers, as well as for the state and industry.
Last year, more than 5.5 million hectoliters of beer were produced.
The project of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce “Created in Serbia” aimed at supporting domestic products and producers and the collective trademark of Cuvarkuca as a confirmation of the quality and domestic origin of products were presented. The holder of the trademark right in the beer industry is the company Heineken for Zajecar beer.
The Association of Brewers of Serbia reminds that more than 5.5 million hectoliters of beer were produced last year. Apart from distribution in retail facilities, almost a third of placements are intended for various catering facilities. About 15,000 people work in the largest companies in this industry.
Due to the global health crisis, and especially during the state of emergency when the catering facilities were not working, this sector suffered great losses in the placement of its products, eKapija reports.
