Croatia food prices rise in July as regional shopping gap widens
- by croatiaweek
- in News
The cost of essential food and household goods in Croatia rose slightly in July, while the gap between the most and least expensive counties widened, according to a monthly analysis by price comparison portal Koliko.HR and the Croatian Association for Consumer Protection (HUZP).
The basic food and hygiene basket for a four-person household averaged €480.99 nationally in July, an increase of €0.88 from June. The basket contains 51 basic products and is designed to cover only modest food and hygiene needs.
Zadar County recorded the highest average price at €498.08, up €8.06 compared with June. It was followed by Karlovac County at €496.48 and Zagreb at €496.13.
The lowest price was recorded in Sisak-Moslavina County, at €462.96, followed by Lika-Senj at €464.86 and Vukovar-Srijem at €466.43.
For the basic basket, the difference between the most and least expensive counties was €35.12.
The more comprehensive standard basket, containing 77 products and intended to better reflect typical household consumption, averaged €726.58 for a four-person family, €1.05 more than in June.
The biggest increases were recorded in several coastal counties. Zadar County was again the most expensive at €749.87, followed by Dubrovnik-Neretva at €749.09 and Istria at €743.18.
By comparison, the standard basket was cheapest in Sisak-Moslavina at €701.29, followed by Požega-Slavonia and Lika-Senj.
The gap between the most and least expensive standard baskets increased by €7.58 in one month, reaching €48.57.
HUZP president Ana Knežević said prices remained relatively high despite July being a period when domestic seasonal fruit and vegetables are widely available.
Year-on-year, the basic basket was actually €3.09 cheaper than in July 2025, while the standard basket was €8.48 more expensive. The standard basket reached its highest recorded monthly level in March, at €736.88.
Prices are calculated from continuously monitored retail price lists published by major retailers across Croatia.
