Vietnam increases tariffs on dairy imports

Vietnam will increase import tariffs on various dairy products to protect local dairy farmers, the finance ministry has said.

According to a ministry circular issued on Tuesday, tariffs on uncondensed milk products will be raised to 15 percent from the current 5 percent.

Some other products will be subject to a new tax rate of 20 percent, instead of the current 7 percent, while tariffs on powdered milk products will be 3-7 percent.

The new tax rates will take effect on March 9.

Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recommended increasing tariffs on 15 dairy products to protect dairy farmers since local processors were favoring imported materials.

It suggested hiking tariffs on condensed and evaporated milk to 10- 34 percent from 3-7 percent, and on other dairy products to 18 percent from 5 percent.

The Ministry of Finance, however, said hiking tariffs too much could cause price shocks in the domestic market.

Ngan Anh

thanhnien

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