Background on Cooperativa Pascual
Cooperativa Pascual, a cooperative with over 40 years of history, produces Boing juices and Lulú soft drinks. The company is unique as it belongs to its workers and operates under a social economy model, reinvesting profits into jobs, community development, and supporting national producers.
Tax Hike on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
The Mexican Congress approved an increase in the Special Production and Service Tax (IEPS) on flavored beverages, raising it from 1.64 to 3.08 pesos per liter next year.
Cooperativa Pascual’s Concerns
Cooperativa Pascual urged lawmakers to reconsider the tax increase and provide differentiated treatment for companies using domestic inputs, emphasizing their use of 100% Mexican fruit and sugar cane.
- Direct and Fair Employment: The cooperative generates direct, fair jobs in Mexico.
- Community Benefit Reinvestment: Profits are reinvested in community development instead of being directed towards foreign capital accumulation.
- National Input Usage: Cooperativa Pascual uses only Mexican-sourced fruits and sugar cane.
An 87% increase in the IEPS would disproportionately affect national cooperatives, which lack the financial margin and tax advantages of large foreign corporations.
Cooperativa Pascual’s Commitment to Health and Innovation
While acknowledging that taxes aim to promote public health policies to reduce sugar consumption, Cooperativa Pascual has consistently worked on reducing the caloric content of its beverages without using artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
Their goal is not to confront public policies but to propose socially and nationally sensible solutions.
Call for Dialogue
Cooperativa Pascual invited lawmakers, authorities, and civil society to engage in a fair dialogue to create an inclusive tax policy that encourages health while supporting responsible Mexican production.
