Committee on Rural Affairs in favour of reduced VAT on organic fruit, berries and vegetables

The Seimas Committee on Rural Affairs is proposing to apply a preferential value added tax (VAT) of 5% or 12% to organic fruit, berries and vegetables.    The Committee took this decision on Wednesday after considering amendments to the VAT law submitted to the Seimas by the Government.

„To motivate and encourage this area to be activated“, – said the chairman of the committee, democrat Kęstutis Mažeika, at the meeting. 

The committee also approved an increase in VAT from 9% to 21% on district heating, and from 9% to 12% on accommodation, passenger transport, and arts and cultural events.    

A group of parliamentarians has already started debating amendments in Parliament in early May proposing to apply a 5% VAT rate to fresh fruit, vegetables and berries from 2026. 

The implementation plan for the provisions of the government programme envisaged a preferential VAT rate of 9% for organic and fruit, berries and vegetables certified under the national food quality scheme.