![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/suffolk-alcohol-producers-cant-absorb-new-tax-rise/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130596710_garywilkinsonsuffolkdistillery.png&description=Image caption, Gary Wilkinson is worried his customers will opt for "mass produced" gin as his prices go up Wine and gin companies in Suffolk said the change to alcohol duty would force them to increase their prices. Artisan producers have said they "can't absorb" the extra cost and will have to pass it on to customers. They said they hoped people would continue to buy their specialist products, but worry the hike will drive them to cheaper, mass-produced options. Under what the Treasury says are new "common-sense" principles , tax is being levied according to a drink's strength. Image caption, Prices of a bottle of wine at Gifford's Hall Vineyard in Hartest, near Bury St Edmunds, are expected to go up by 45p Image caption, Vineyard owner Linda Howard said wine producers cannot control the level of alcohol in the drink Linda Howard, who owns and runs Gifford's Hall Vineyard in Hartest, near Bury St Edmunds, said they will charge roughly 45p more per bottle of wine. "We cannot absorb this cost because we have had rising costs for the last two years," she told the BBC. Image caption, The weather affects the grape harvest and alcohol content of wine She said, unlike beer and gin makers, wine producers cannot control the level of alcohol in the drink. "That will be God and the weather, that will be sunlight. If we have a very hot summer, we will have more alcohol content in our wine and therefore more tax," she said. Ms Howard said she hoped "loyal customers" would stick with them, but added: "I can see that if people are worried about the cost of living and mortgages, they might decide to go for a cheaper option." Image caption, Gary Wilkinson makes craft gin and vodka at the Suffolk Distillery Gary Wilkinson, the manager of Suffolk Distillery , said the tax change would likely add £1 to a bottle of gin, which is typically 43% alcohol. "I think people will be put off and will go for cheaper in-store [drinks]," he said. He said he did not accept the government's view th){kind=link}
Wine and gin companies in Suffolk said the change to alcohol duty would force them to increase their prices.
Artisan producers have said they “can’t absorb” the extra cost and will have to pass it on to customers.
They said they hoped people would continue to buy their specialist products, but worry the hike will drive them to cheaper, mass-produced options.
Under what the Treasury says are new “common-sense” principles, tax is being levied according to a drink’s strength.
Linda Howard, who owns and runs Gifford’s Hall Vineyard in Hartest, near Bury St Edmunds, said they will charge roughly 45p more per bottle of wine.