Croatians Stage Major Boycott to Protest Rising Food Prices

In an unprecedented show of consumer frustration, Croatians across the country boycotted supermarkets, retail chains, and petrol stations on January 24, 2025. The protest was a response to soaring food prices that have stretched household budgets to their limits.

A Grassroots Movement Gains Traction

The boycott was initiated by the Facebook group "Halo, Inspektore" and supported by the European Consumer Excellence Centre (ECIP). It quickly gained traction, attracting endorsements from consumer protection groups, labor unions, political organizations, and even Croatia’s Minister of Economy.

The Numbers Behind the Price Surge

According to Eurostat, food prices in Croatia have increased by 45% since 2020—significantly outpacing the European Union average of 33%. Basic necessities like bread have seen a 61% spike, while the EU average increase for bread was 35%. Eggs, fruit, meat, and vegetables have all seen steep increases, ranging from 38% to 63% (eggs have risen by 63%, fruit by 40%, meat by 38%, and vegetables by 44%).

Impact of the Boycott on Croatian Cities

The boycott visibly affected consumer activity in major cities. In Zagreb and Split, typically busy supermarkets were eerily quiet, with only a few customers purchasing essentials like bread. Some retail chains in Split reported as few as 20 visitors during peak hours, and cashiers processed significantly fewer transactions than normal. Dubrovnik also experienced a sharp decline in foot traffic, with empty shops and bakeries becoming a common sight.

In Zagreb, a few more shoppers were spotted compared to other cities, but many were there solely for one or two essential items. Employees confirmed the dramatic slowdown, reporting transaction volumes five times lower than average.

Mixed Reactions to the Protest

While the boycott made headlines and drew attention to Croatia’s inflation problem, opinions on its effectiveness were divided. Milivoj Špika, President of the Pensioners’ Bloc, expressed doubts about the impact of a one-day event, noting that pensioners are already limited in their ability to shop by the end of the month due to tight budgets.

“One day of action won’t make much difference,” Špika said, emphasizing the government’s role in the crisis. He pointed out that higher prices mean increased VAT revenues for the state and criticized earlier government claims that Croatia’s transition to the euro would only minimally affect inflation.

Špika’s organization has proposed a more drastic measure: a month-long boycott targeting a specific supermarket chain if prices are not reduced by March 1. Such an extended effort, he argued, would be far more difficult for retailers to ignore.

Factors Behind Croatia’s Higher Prices

Experts have cited several reasons for Croatia’s price hikes, including logistical challenges, varying tax rates, and distribution costs. However, Špika highlighted the role of substantial retailer profit margins and the government’s heavy reliance on VAT revenues as key contributors to the ongoing crisis.

A Call for Broader Action

The boycott has sparked a national conversation about the economic pressures faced by Croatian households. While the immediate impact of the one-day protest is still being assessed, it has made one thing clear: the public’s patience is running out. As citizens, retailers, and policymakers confront the challenges of inflation, calls for long-term strategies and decisive action are growing louder. Whether the boycott will be a turning point remains to be seen, but it has undeniably brought attention to an issue that demands resolution.

Source: https://www.croatiaweek.com/photos-croatians-boycott-shops-in-big-numbers-over-food-prices/