As the summer season hits the Croatian Adriatic coast, residents and visitors alike are feeling the impact of a significant rise in retail prices. According to data collected in recent weeks, the prices of essential goods in coastal towns in the popular Balkan country have jumped noticeably.
The steepest increase has been recorded in Tribunj, a village known for its waterfront cafes in southern Croatia, where costs have gone up by a staggering 10.38%. The prices of everyday necessities paint a dark picture. A pack of toilet paper that costs €2.79 (£2.38) in the capital, Zagreb, is now selling for €3.32 (£2.84) in Tribunj, an increase of 19.1%. Cleaning products have risen from €2.59 (£2.21) to €2.99 (£2.55), while a litre of yoghurt has risen from €0.99 (£0.85) to €1.08 (£0.92).
“These are basic items people must buy, especially in tourist apartments, and that drives prices even higher,” explains economist Mladen Vedriš, adding that in smaller towns like Žminj, he notes, toilet paper is already up by 17%.
Government-mandated transparency in retail pricing has led to the development of apps that track nearly nine million product prices across the country. These tools reveal the spread of seasonal inflation along the coast.
Tribunj tops the list with a 10.38% rise, followed closely by Posedarje (10.1%), Pakoštane and Pomer (10%) and Pašman (9.96%), according to RTL Direkt. Vedriš has warned that if this trend continues for a full year, the increase could exceed 20% annually.
In the larger cities, which appear to have got off more lightly, Split has seen a price rise of just over 1% while Dubrovnik faces nearly 3%.
Surprisingly, it is not food that has seen the biggest spikes. This was witnessed in hygiene products. A comparison between mainland and coastal prices shows striking differences.
While nappies, for example, cost €14.99 (£12.80) inland, on the coast locals and tourists are now having to fork out an eyewatering €25.99 (£22.20). Basic toothpaste, meanwhile, may cost as much as €6 (£5.13), while inland it can be found for around half that price. A chocolate bar that normally sells for €2 (£1.71) on the mainland can fetch up to €8 (£6.83) in seaside shops.
For many, this is now a familiar pattern. “It’s become normal – every summer brings new prices,” says Ružica from Split. “I watch what I buy and where,” she added. “Food and hygiene items are constantly going up. It’s frustrating, especially as a student – everything is expensive,” said Lucija, also from Split.
Rising prices have already started to influence visitor behaviour. Experts suggest tourists may increasingly bring their own supplies to reduce spending during their stay.
“This definitely affects inflation and the tourist season. Guests are calculating what they get for their money, how much accommodation costs – and many are arriving already stocked up. Soon they won’t just be bringing tins of pâté, but toilet paper too,” said Vedriš.