The government plans a 26 November start for suspensions covering 101 food and agricultural products, including garlic, gherkins and plant-based milk.
The UK Treasury estimates that removing import tariffs would save a typical household about £21 a year on food bills. The figure is a forecast, not a measured fall in prices. The estimate accompanied Budget measures covering garlic, gherkins and plant-based milk, BBC Business said.
The new suspensions add to an earlier food-tariff package that took effect on 21 June 2026, covering some fruit, fruit juices, pasta, couscous and tuna.
The government says the new food package covers 101 agricultural and food products. It will temporarily reduce their standard tariffs—taxes charged on imports—to zero. Goods originating in Russia and Belarus are excluded; qualifying goods from other countries are eligible.
| Product | Standard tariff | Suspended rate |
|---|---|---|
| Aubergines | 12% | 0% |
| Baked beans | 16% | 0% |
| Chocolate | 8% | 0% |
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Several respondents to the government’s consultation questioned how much of the tariff reduction would reach consumer prices. The government says strong competition in the grocery sector will encourage supermarkets to pass cost reductions on to shoppers.
The consultation ran from 27 May to 24 June 2026. The government says it selected temporary measures to ease living-cost pressures linked to the war in the Middle East. It excluded some proposed products, including biscuits and toasted bread products, over concerns about domestic producers, and excluded bananas because of concerns about developing countries’ trade preferences.
Burgerism operations manager Morgan Austin welcomed the removal of gherkin tariffs but wanted a VAT reduction. She said minimum-wage increases and higher employer National Insurance contributions, a tax employers pay on wages, following the previous Budget had added about £150,000 to the burger chain’s annual costs. Those pressures made opening more sites and hiring staff harder.
Hassan Zahid, who runs Manchester street-food business Fuego 1987, expected only a minor benefit. He said tariff reductions on meat and chicken would help more because his business buys those ingredients in bulk.
Gavin Williams, co-owner of Mattina coffee shop in Salford, said the plant-based milk changes would not benefit his business because its milk comes from UK suppliers rather than imports. A VAT reduction would make a greater difference to independent hospitality businesses.
The government says it will legislate for the suspensions to take effect on 26 November 2026. The new agricultural and food suspensions are scheduled to expire on 31 December 2028.
Businesses can apply for further tariff suspensions during the next application window, from 11 November 2026 to 3 February 2027.
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