Croatian government expands price-capped list to 100 products

ZAGREB, 21 November 2025 (Hina) – The Croatian government has adopted a decision expanding the list of retail products with capped prices to a total of 100 items, in an effort to ease pressure on households facing rising living costs.

Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said the extension, which adds 30 new products and product categories, is aimed particularly at helping the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

Retailers will be required to offer at least one item within each category at the capped price and clearly display the highest permitted retail price for that product.

Under the revised decision, the existing price caps remain unchanged, with the government taking into account current market conditions.

Šušnjar noted that the regulation sets only the maximum regular retail price for each category, encouraging retailers to offer lower prices where possible.

To ensure transparency, shops must continue to mark capped items with a visual identification label, along with a poster at the entrance or another prominent location listing all categories subject to price limits.

Larger shops, those over 400 square metres, must also maintain dedicated sections for capped-price items.

“This measure reflects our responsible economic and social approach to protecting citizens’ living standards, especially at a time when many households are feeling the strain of higher living costs,” Šušnjar said. The goal, he added, is to soften inflationary pressures and safeguard those most at risk.

Šušnjar emphasised that the government will closely monitor market movements and ensure the measure is implemented properly. He also urged retailers to remember that these are maximum prices and that they are free to reduce prices further whenever market conditions allow.

The decision enters into force on 1 December 2025.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the expanded list would help those on the lowest incomes by making everyday essentials more affordable. “The measure is directed against inflationary pressures. We believe it will significantly help those who have the least,” he said.

New products added to the capped-price list

Among the newly included items are:

• Mixed unwrapped bread (up to €1.70/kg)
• “Lizika” pastry (up to €0.69 each)
• Pastry sheets for pitas and strudels (up to €1.23/500 g)
• Toast bread (up to €1 for 400–500 g)
• Petit dry biscuits (up to €2.49/kg)
• Frozen squid (up to €4.49 for 400–500 g)
• Frozen spinach (up to €1.99 for 400–600 g)
• Gnocchi (up to €1.29 for 400–500 g)
• Cooking chocolate (up to €4.20 for 200–400 g)
• Mayonnaise sachet (up to €0.75 for 80–85 g)
• Ajvar, jar (up to €2.75 for 650–700 g)
• Pickled gherkins, jar (up to €1.55 for 650–700 g)
• Pickled peppers, jar (up to €2.62 for 650–700 g)
• Sweetcorn, canned (up to €1.20 for 340 g)
• Frozen pea–carrot mix (up to €1.40 for 400–500 g)
• Winter salami (up to €10.90/kg)
• Pizza ham (up to €3.99/kg)
• Dairy spread (up to €0.55 for 70 g)
• Cooking cream, 20% fat (up to €0.99 for 200 g)
• Table margarine (up to €0.70 for 250 g)
• Honey, jar (up to €5.70 for 900 g)
• Peach compote (up to €2.12 for 400–500 g)
• Chocolate-nut spread (up to €2.65 for 350–450 g)
• Apple nectar, carton (up to €1.29/litre)
• Tea bags (up to €1.02 for 20 bags)
• Baby wet wipes (up to €0.02 each)
• Baby food, jar (up to €1.05 for 190 g)
• Hand cream (up to €1.10 for 100 ml)
• Liquid hand soap (up to €0.80 for 500 ml)
• Three-ply paper towels, two-roll pack (up to €1.59)