The producers and exporters of walnuts of Moldova welcome the initiative of Prime Minister Iurie Leanca to annul the tax of 1.5% of the value of exported walnuts. Chairman of the Association of Walnut Exporters of Moldova Dumitru Vicol has told IPN that by annulling this tax, there will be removed an older mistake that led to the double taxing of walnut producers and exporters.
Dumitru Vicol said that by changes made to the Tax Code, a tax of 2% was introduced in agriculture in the form of charge on the purchase of agricultural products from private individuals. Until the export tax of 1.5% on walnuts is valid, the entrepreneurs working in this sector are taxed double.
“From January 1, 2014, we must pay almost twice more. The members of the associations of exporters made an approach to the Government, asking annulling the export tax. Such a decision was awaited and we will be glad if it takes effect,” stated Dumitru Vicol.
The export duty on walnuts has been applied since the end of the 1990s. But the walnut exporters in the period were exempted from paying the tax on purchases from private individuals. The situation changed after amendments were made to the Tax Code last autumn.
Dumitru Vicol also said that the annulment of the export tax on walnuts will encourage the producers and exporters to invest in this field. Moldova annually exports 11,000-13,000 tonnes of walnuts, which is 2% of the total exports. 90% of the quantity of walnuts is exported to the European Union.
