Sri Lanka's excise duties, which rose by 64% in the 12 months through January 2024, are expected to increase more gradually in line with inflation, though higher-than-expected hikes could still impact sales volumes, according to Fitch Ratings.
Sri Lanka is expected to experience a slower increase in excise duties following a cumulative hike of approximately 64% over the 12 months ending in January 2024, according to Fitch Ratings. Under the IMF’s extended fund facility program, the government is required to annually review excise duties, including those on alcohol products. While further increases are anticipated to align with the country’s inflation rate, Fitch notes that risks to sales volumes persist if excise duty hikes exceed expectations, as observed in January 2024.