Advent in Zagreb: €5 million more spent on food and drink, modest rise in consumption

Advent in Zagreb

Spending on food and drink during Advent has risen significantly this year, with Zagreb alone recording almost €5 million more in spending compared to the same period last year, RTL Danas has reported.

According to data from Croatia’s Tax Administration, from the start of Advent to today, covering roughly the past two weeks, nearly €48.5 million has been spent in the capital on food preparation and hospitality services.

This represents a 10 per cent increase compared to last year’s Advent period.

However, the number of issued fiscalised receipts has grown by only around 3 per cent, suggesting that people are not consuming more food and drink, but are instead paying higher prices.

In real terms, this amounts to approximately 126,000 more receipts than in the comparable period last year.

The figures point clearly to rising costs rather than increased demand, a trend that has not gone unnoticed by consumers.

Nationwide spending surge

The pattern is even more pronounced at the national level. During the first week of Advent across Croatia, total spending reached €841 million, a striking 39 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Tax Administration data.

While part of this growth reflects the festive season and increased activity, many citizens are voicing concerns over affordability.

Many Croatians have complained that Advent prices, particularly for food and drinks, have become excessively high.