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PHOTOS: Croatians boycott shops in big numbers over food prices  

Spar supermarket Croatia

A Zagreb supermarket empty today

A consumer boycott of stores, supermarket chains, and petrol stations took place across Croatia today, spurred by public frustration over soaring prices.

The initiative, launched by the Facebook group “Halo, Inspektore” and supported by the European Consumer Excellence Centre (ECIP), has drawn backing from consumer protection organisations, unions, political parties, and even the Minister of Economy.

Steep price increases exceeds EU averages

Food prices in Croatia have surged by 45% since 2020, significantly outpacing the EU average increase of 33%, according to Eurostat.

Bread prices have risen by 61% compared to the EU average of 35%, while eggs have soared by 63%, fruit by 40%, meat by 38%, and vegetables by 44%.

Boycott gains momentum

Reports from major Croatian cities indicate that the boycott has had a noticeable impact.

In Zagreb and Split, normally bustling supermarkets were nearly deserted, with just a handful of customers seen purchasing essentials such as bread.

A number of the big chains saw far fewer shoppers than usual, with only about 20 visitors in a 30-minute period reported in some stores in Split.

Shop workers corroborated the drop in activity, stating that they had processed five times fewer transactions by mid-morning. 

In Dubrovnik, shops and bakeries were also very quiet with customers staying away.

In Zagreb, where there were a few more customers, sales were visibly lower than usual, with a number of shoppers stating they only had gone to get one or two items.

The Tax Administration said that by 11 a.m., citizens bought 40 percent less than last Friday when there was no boycott. The total amount spent, compared to last Friday, was lower by as much as 47 percent. 

Spar Zagreb

People stayed away

Mixed reactions to the boycott

The boycott has prompted a range of responses. Milivoj Špika, President of the Pensioners’ Bloc, expressed scepticism about its impact, noting that many pensioners already struggle to shop by the end of the month due to financial constraints.

He questioned the effectiveness of a one-day boycott, criticising organisers for failing to propose more impactful measures.

“One day will not make a difference,” Špika told HRT, highlighting the government’s shared responsibility for the current situation. He added, “It’s strange for the government to support a boycott essentially targeting itself.”

Špika argued that the government benefits from the status quo, as rising prices generate higher VAT revenue. He criticised the Prime Minister’s earlier assurances that price increases following Croatia’s euro adoption would be minimal, a promise that has not materialised.

The Pensioners’ Bloc has proposed an ultimatum to retailers: reduce prices by 1 March, or face a month-long blockade of one supermarket chain. “Such an action would compel retailers to respond, as no business can afford a month-long disruption,” Špika explained.

Spar supermarket Croatia

Stores all across the country were quiet

Experts point to several factors contributing to Croatia’s higher prices, including varying tax rates, transportation costs, and distribution expenses.

However, Špika stressed that retailers’ significant profit margins and the government’s reliance on VAT revenue exacerbate the problem.

While today’s boycott highlighted public discontent with rising prices, its long-term impact remains uncertain. As consumers, retailers, and the government grapple with the crisis, calls for more decisive action and comprehensive solutions are growing louder.

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