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Swedish Prime Minister Visits Gävle Supermarket Ahead of VAT Reduction

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Key Points
  • Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited a Willys supermarket in Gävle ahead of a VAT reduction on food.
  • VAT on food is being temporarily reduced from 12% to 6% starting April 1st, 2026, until December 31, 2027.
  • Store manager Petra Bauman gave the Prime Minister a tour and described discussing food prices as 'fun'.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited a Willys supermarket in Gävle on Tuesday, according to local media reports. The visit coincided with the upcoming reduction of VAT on food from 12% to 6%, which takes effect on April 1st. The temporary VAT reduction is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2027, and affects food stores, gas stations, street kitchens, cafes, and restaurants.

During the visit, Kristersson was given a tour of the store by Petra Bauman, store manager at Willys Hemsta. ' A customer at the store, Rickard Hedblad, questioned the Prime Minister about why the government doesn't lower VAT on healthy products while raising it slightly on unhealthy ones. Kristersson responded that he believes most people want to decide for themselves how to put together their grocery bags.

fun and fun to talk about food prices

Petra Bauman, store manager at Willys Hemsta

The Prime Minister's visit occurred during rush hour at the Hemsta location.

why the government doesn't lower VAT on healthy products while raising it slightly on unhealthy ones

Rickard Hedblad, customer at the store

he believes most people want to decide for themselves how to put together their grocery bags

Ulf Kristersson, Swedish Prime Minister

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