Basic shopping basket rises – Dubrovnik again the most expensive

ZAGREB, 15 September 2026 – The average cost of Croatia’s basic food and hygiene shopping basket increased slightly in August, while significant differences remained between coastal and continental parts of the country.

According to the latest monthly research by price comparison portal Koliko.HR, carried out in cooperation with the Croatian Association for Consumer Protection (HUZP), the basic basket for a four-member household cost an average of €484.15 in August, up from €480.99 in July.

The so-called “survival basket” contains 51 essential products in quantities considered sufficient only for a modest diet and minimum personal and household hygiene.

Dubrovnik-Neretva most expensive

The highest price was recorded in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, where the basic basket cost €498.75, an increase of €3.62 compared with July.

It was followed by Zagreb, at €496.33, and Karlovac County, at €495.82. In Karlovac, the basket was €0.67 cheaper than the previous month.

The lowest average price was recorded in Brod-Posavina County, at €467.36. It was followed by Sisak-Moslavina County at €467.97 and Vukovar-Srijem County at €469.50.

The difference between the most and least expensive counties narrowed slightly during August, from €35.12 to €31.39.

For a three-member household, the basic basket cost €384.56, up €2.33 month-on-month, while the single-person basket rose by €0.74 to €248.17.

The standard food and hygiene basket, containing 77 products and designed to more closely reflect the actual consumption patterns of Croatian households, averaged €726.80 in August.

That was just €0.22 more than in July.

Dubrovnik-Neretva was again the most expensive county, at €749.73, followed by Istria at €747.16 and Zadar County at €743.47.

Zadar recorded a significant monthly fall of €6.40, dropping from first place in July to third.

The cheapest standard basket was found in Sisak-Moslavina County, at €703.50. Požega-Slavonia followed at €706.01 and Brod-Posavina at €707.28.

For a three-member household, the standard basket cost €579.83, almost unchanged from July’s €579.78. The single-person standard basket fell by €0.50 to €327.65.

Basic basket cheaper than a year ago

The two baskets moved in opposite directions compared with August 2025.

The basic basket for a four-member household cost €488.48 a year earlier, meaning it was €4.33 cheaper in August 2026.

The standard basket, however, increased from €718.45 to €726.80 over the same period, a rise of €8.35.

HUZP president Ana Knežević said consumers had expected seasonal fruit and vegetables to become cheaper during August, but prices remained high.

She also highlighted the pressure faced by pensioners with the lowest incomes, who can struggle to afford fresh food.

Coastal counties remain more expensive

The research also points to a widening difference between individual parts of Croatia.

The gap between the most and least expensive counties increased over the past year. For the basic basket, it rose from €22.44 to €31.39, while the difference for the standard basket increased from €33.39 to €46.22.

Siniša Bogdanić of Koliko.HR said the figures showed a continuing difference in prices within the same retail chains depending on whether stores are located in coastal or continental counties.

All five of the most expensive standard baskets were recorded in coastal counties.

In August, the standard basket in Dubrovnik-Neretva cost €46.23 more than in the cheapest county, Sisak-Moslavina.

What is included in the baskets?

The basic basket contains 51 products covering essential food and hygiene needs, including bread, flour, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, meat, cheaper fish, dairy products and basic seasonings.

It also includes personal and household hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, detergent and toilet paper.

The standard basket contains 77 products and offers a broader range, including more fruit and meat, canned tuna, pâté, chocolate spreads, snacks, natural and fizzy drinks, as well as moderate quantities of beer and wine. Additional household hygiene products include kitchen paper towels and wet wipes.

Both baskets are calculated for three household models: a four-member family, a three-member family and a single-person household.

Prices by county are based on continuous monitoring of retail price lists that major retailers are required to publish daily under a Croatian government decision introduced on 2 May 2025.

The national basket price is calculated as the average of county-level prices, providing an overview of the monthly cost of essential food and hygiene products across Croatia.