The Government has collected about $1.5 billion from the healthy food taxaccording to data as of August. This is what he revealed Camilo Montes, director of the Food Chamber of the National Association of Businessmen of Colombia (Andi).
“Those resources that, although paid by companies, come from consumption”Montes warns after explaining that it is still premature to take stock because it is barely halfway through the transition since it was established. The tax started in October with 10%, rose 15% in January and in January 2025 it will rise to 20%, he said..
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He stressed that it must be taken into account that there are products that today pay VAT, in addition to the healthy tax.
“It has been a very particular year because, on the one hand, agriculture has positive numbers, but the industries that use agricultural and livestock raw materials have not had a good year, in particular the Food Chamber, which is what I see , all sectors are falling”explained Montes, when setting out how 2024 has been for the sector.
Ultra-processed.
Regarding other issues of concern for businessmen today, Camilo Montes indicated that although food inflation has entered control scenarios, After reaching double-digit levels for several months, there are still a number of challenges and cited the case of raw materials.
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“Raw materials are still very expensive. Especially those whose price is tied to the dollar, in the midst of exchange rate volatility”, he commented.
However, he estimated that next year will be favorable in terms of household consumption, the variable that in his opinion is the one that has had the greatest impact on food companies in the country.
“We also hope that the development of the portfolio and innovation by companies will be able to offer consumers proposals that respond to those nutritional and convenience needs.”, he commented.
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Congress Agenda
In order to analyze these current issues and seek how to encourage sustainable reactivation, the National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia, Andi, will hold between November 7 and 8 in Medellin his fifth Agroindustrial Congress.
He indicated that the panorama of both activities is a reason for analysis, taking into account that the Agro+Industry strategy was launched last year.that seeks to turn Colombia, in a decade, into a relevant country in agroindustry for the world”, commented the manager.
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Ultra-processed foods
When explaining, the Congress agenda highlighted three major components. On the one hand, he said, prior to the academic day, Congress participants will be able to visit one of 8 sites to learn in the field how the country’s food industry works from several companies that are in that area of the country.
Furthermore, between this November 7th and 8th, alongside the academic day, spaces for networking will be created between the different actors in the sector. Nearly 300 attendees – from public entities and the private sector – will be able to connect with each other to address topics of interest.
CONSTANZA GÓMEZ GUASCA
Portfolio Journalist
