Swedish Government Launches Investigation into Sustainable Food Production and Tiered VAT

The Swedish government has appointed special investigator Per Lindahl to devise concrete, measurable goals for a sustainable and resilient national food system covering 2031–2045. The mandate includes analysing the strengths, weaknesses, and critical dependencies of the Swedish food chain, proposing actions to boost domestic production, and outlining how Swedish food can be strengthened in the domestic market, the EU and globally. The final report is due by 8 June 2028.

The same investigation will consider a differentiated food value‑added tax (VAT) with up to three rates, explicitly factoring public‑health benefits. Proposals aim to lower the price of fruits, vegetables and legumes to increase consumption and reduce disease risk, with a final report slated for 22 December 2026 to inform tax policy decisions from 2028 onward.