Higher tax protects Polish yogurt

Poland raised the import duty rate on yogurt at the beginning of the month in an effort to protect the domestic market.
Yogurt imports from the European Union (EU) last year saw a nine-fold increase which has threatened the livelihood of local manufacturers.
Taking advantage of provisions stipulated in the countrys association agreement with the EU, the Polish government has abolished customs preferences for imported yogurt and quadrupled import duty, taking it from 9% to 35%. If the measure proves ineffective, duty may be further increased and an import quota may even be established.
It is possible that such measures could expose Poland to retaliation against its exports to the EU and might also impact on the progress of the country’s plans for EU accession.