{
  "id": 17245763,
  "title": "Coffee Growers Alarmed by VAT Hike in De la Espriella’s Fiscal Bill",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/coffee-growers-alarmed-by-vat-hike-in-de-la-espriellas-fiscal-bill",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T15:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/10/30/coffee-growers-alarmed-vat-hike-de-la-espriellas-fiscal-bill/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Colombian coffee industry is expressing alarm over a proposed value-added tax (VAT) hike to 19% in the fiscal rescue bill introduced by the De la Espriella administration. German Bahamon, general manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC), warns that such a substantial increase could negatively impact coffee producers and domestic consumption. The FNC stresses that the coffee sector supports hundreds of thousands of rural families and is a key export sector. The industry leader expresses concern that a significant tax increase could reduce demand, hurt the domestic industry, and undermine efforts to promote consumption of 100% Colombian coffee.",
  "summary": "The Colombian government of Abelardo de la Espriella’s proposal to raise the value-added tax (VAT) on coffee from 5% to 19% has sparked concern across the coffee sector, which fears the measure could ultimately hurt both producers and domestic consumption of one of the most representative products of the national economy. The initiative is part […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Colombian coffee industry alarmed by proposed 19% VAT hike",
    "German Bahamon warns tax increase could hurt producers and consumption",
    "FNC stresses coffee sector supports rural families and is key export"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}