VAT news [October 2026]
The introduction of excise duty on kratom, the conclusions of the Coordination Committee meeting between the GFD and the Chamber of Tax Advisors of the Czech Republic, and the latest case law of the Court of Ju…
Subsidies for meat processors: Rules to change significantly in 2026
In autumn 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture is planning to launch subsidy programme No. 13 aimed at modernising the production of meat and meat products. The support may reach up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum of CZK 60 million per project. Compared to previous calls, this year’s programme introduces fundamental changes that may significantly affect project success.
What’s new this year
- The subsidy is limited to a narrower group of eligible applicants – exclusively producers of meat and meat products
- Projects must be clearly linked to supported products based on customs codes (e.g. 02, 1601–1603, 1501–1502, 1516.10)
- New limits apply to connected and partner enterprises – a maximum of CZK 120 million in eligible costs per group
- The incentive effect will now be assessed through an economic test (evaluating additional costs and the adequacy of returns)
What to watch out for
This year’s call puts much greater emphasis on the economic evaluation of projects. The most common risks include:
- Excessively strong project economics – high returns may argue against granting support
- Unrealistically designed “without subsidy” scenarios
- Incorrect cost structure or insufficient linkage to eligible products
Key parameters of the call
Timeline:
- Call announcement: 1 September 2026
- Application deadline: 31 October 2026
Eligible expenditures:
- Production-related technological equipment
- Construction and modernisation of storage facilities
- Hardware, software and project documentation
- Construction costs (max. 25% of eligible expenditure)
Eligible applicants:
- Large enterprises (outside the SME category)
- Projects focused on meat sector products defined by customs codes
Support limits:
- Up to 50% of eligible expenditure
- Maximum CZK 60 million per project
- Maximum CZK 120 million in eligible costs per group of enterprises
Deloitte’s tip
An important factor may be the level of automation (e.g. robotics, AI-based quality control, IoT sensors, or SCADA/MES systems). As construction costs are limited, it may be appropriate to combine this funding with CAP programme 34.73 (Investment in the Processing of Agricultural Products).
