Croatia’s ‘survival basket’ costs rise again as regional price gap widens

The cost of Croatia’s basic food and hygiene basket, often referred to as the country’s “survival basket”, increased slightly in June, while the gap between the most and least expensive parts of the country continued to grow.

According to the latest monthly survey by price comparison portal Koliko.hr, carried out in cooperation with the Croatian Consumer Protection Association (HUZP), the essential basket for a family of four averaged €480.11 in June, up €1.21 from May.

The basket contains 51 essential food and hygiene products, covering only the minimum monthly needs of a household. It includes staple foods such as bread, flour, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, meat, affordable fish, dairy products and household hygiene items. Because it reflects only basic necessities, it is commonly described as a “survival basket”.

The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County recorded the highest average cost at €499.53, an increase of €28.90 compared with the previous month. It was followed by the City of Zagreb at €491.75 and Varaždin County at €491.68.

The lowest costs were recorded in Sisak-Moslavina County at €464.49, followed by Vukovar-Srijem County at €467.01 and Lika-Senj County at €468.08.

The difference between the most and least expensive counties reached €35.04, almost €11 more than a month earlier.

For a three-person household, the essential basket cost €381.52, while a single-person household paid €246.92, both recording small monthly increases.

In contrast, the larger standard food and hygiene basket became slightly cheaper during June.

The standard basket, which includes 77 products and is intended to better reflect typical consumer shopping habits, averaged €725.53 for a family of four, down €4.31 compared with May.

Primorje-Gorski Kotar County remained the most expensive at €745.41, followed by Zadar County (€740.68) and Dubrovnik-Neretva County (€740.56).

The lowest average prices were recorded in Sisak-Moslavina County (€704.42), Požega-Slavonia County (€708.07) and Lika-Senj County (€710.46).

The gap between the most and least expensive standard baskets widened from €35.63 to €40.99.

For a three-person household, the standard basket cost €578.95, while a single-person basket fell to €327.65.

Seasonal price movements

According to Siniša Bogdanić of Koliko.HR, monthly fluctuations can be influenced by the availability of products, with retailers sometimes replacing unavailable items with more expensive alternatives.

He noted that prices increased in June for mixed minced meat, some pork cuts and certain tomato varieties, while seasonal fruit, lettuce and freshwater fish became cheaper.

HUZP president Ana Knežević said that even a small increase in the essential basket means households are continuing to pay more for basic necessities.

She added that although the standard basket became slightly cheaper, many of its products are non-essential. Knežević also said that, given the peak fruit and vegetable season, she expected larger price reductions than those recorded in June.

The monthly survey is based on continuously monitored retail price lists published daily by supermarket chains under a Croatian government decision introduced in May 2025. Prices are calculated for three household models: a family of four, a family of three and a single-person household, with the national average representing the average across all Croatian counties.