By Michelle Loubon

Copyright trinidadexpress

President of the Barkeepers and Operators Association Satesh Moonasar is predicting people will spend less at the bars following added taxes imposed in the 2025/26 budget.

He also said proprietors across the board were awaiting the new price listings.

According to Moonasar, there about 2,000 bars across Trinidad and Tobago.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said in his budget presentation on Monday that “80% of the projected revenue increases are attributable to Customs Duties on Rum and Spirits, Beer and Tobacco products.

“Therefore, the following amended duties are proposed:

Rum and Spirits

• (By per cent of Alcohol) $79.25 to $158.50;

• Beer (By gravity of beer) $5.14 to $10.28;

• Cigarettes (per pack of 20) $5.26 to $10.52.

Included in the list of fees to be amended are:

• Container processing fees, $525 to $1,050

• Customs declaration, $40 to $80

• Transaction user fee.”

• With Environmental Tyre Tax from $20 to $40, and wild Animals and Birds from $100 to $200.

Tancoo said “these measures will contribute an additional $1 billion to revenues”.

In a phone interview yesterday, Moonasar, who operates C1 Sports Bar in California, Central Trinidad, said: “It is what it is. It’s part and parcel of the budget. Bar owners are waiting on the price listing from the companies. It would vary from product to product based on the quality of the beer. Since the budget, Carib Brewery had stopped all sales. They are not taking any orders.”

He added that the bar wants to resume normal operations from tomorrow and was hoping to have gotten the price list by the end of yesterday.

Asked about the bar owners’ mood, he said: “They are concerned it could affect business. People would have less money to spend and less sales for drinking and recreational establishments.”

He also said there was a decrease in the number of limers and drinking during Divali. “You would always find a dip during Divali season. It happens more in the areas where Indo-Trinidadians are more predominant. It’s a normal thing and it’s influenced by the geographical area,” he said.

Nahous calls for balanced structure

Also speaking by phone, chief executive officer of Tommy Brewing Company Ltd John Nahous said “it was important to review the framework”.

He said local manufacturers were not averse to paying taxes, but “they wanted a balanced structure”. He also said a 100% increase is a “heavy tax”, but added that Tancoo said he was committed to supporting local manufacturers.

He also said compared to other Caribbean countries, it was extremely costly to import alcohol. Nahous said he has been in the alcohol business for 20-plus years—firstly, as an importer; and then moving on to manufacturing.

Nahous operates a small craft brewery at MovieTowne, Mucurapo, where patrons can enjoy only locally produced beer and cider-not spirits.

He said: “Before local manufacturers did have a favourable tax rate. I have seen how the policy has reshaped the beverage industry. It does not impact us significantly because we are not a mass producer, but it impacts our thinking about the future.

“Trinidad and Tobago was already one of the most expensive companies to import alcohol. It was higher in terms of duty compared to some of the other Caribbean markets. We are not opposed to taxation. We just want a balanced structure. There was a 100% tariff increase which puts it directly in line with what importer pay. It’s unfair to local manufacturers.”

Nahous said the prices of stout did not change, but beer changed.

He said: “The category also have stout and beer. Beer went from $5.14 per litre to $10.28 per litre. Imported beer is $10.54 per litre. We need to review the framework. We are not opposed to taxation, but a fair approach to those who produce it. A 100% increase is a heavy tax. A lot of emphasis on rum. Taxes on rum would have doubled. What about gin, vodka and other blends? They are imported items.”