Prices are rising again. This county has the most expensive basket in Croatia
The cost of basic food and hygiene baskets for a four-person household rose slightly in August compared to July, according to a monthly survey by the price comparison portal koliko.hr in collaboration with the Croatian Consumer Protection Association (HUZP). The average national price for the basic basket was 480.99 euros, with the most expensive basket found in Zadar County at 498.08 euros. Other counties like Karlovac and Zagreb also saw increases, while Sisak-Moslavina, Licko-Senj, and Vukovar-Srijem had lower prices. The difference between the most expensive and cheapest basic basket increased to 48.57 euros. For a three-person household, the basic basket rose by 71 cents. The basic basket includes essential items such as bread, flour, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, meat, cheaper fish, dairy products, spices, and personal and household hygiene products. The standard basket, which reflects more typical consumer habits, also saw a slight increase, with Zadar County again having the highest price.
Prices have risen again, with one county in Croatia recording the highest basket cost in the country. According to a monthly price comparison study conducted by the portal koliko.hr in collaboration with the Croatian Consumer Protection Union (HUZP), the basic food and hygiene basket for a four-member household in July amounted to an average of 480.99 euros nationally, marking an increase of 88 cents compared to June. The Zadar County emerged as the most expensive region, according to the findings released on Friday. The survey revealed that both the basic and standard food and hygiene baskets increased slightly in price during July. While national averages rose modestly, the gap between the most and least expensive regional baskets widened to 48.57 euros. This marks a further increase from the previous month, where the difference stood at 48.57 euros. In the basic basket category, Zadar County recorded the highest price at 498.08 euros, up 8.06 euros from June. It was followed by Karlovac County at 496.48 euros and Zagreb City at 496.13 euros. On the other hand, the most affordable option was the Sisak-Moslavina County at 462.96 euros, while Lika-Senj County and Vukovar-Srijem County were priced at 464.86 euros and 466.43 euros respectively. For a three-person household, the basic basket cost 382.23 euros, representing an increase of 71 cents over June. The single-person basket saw a rise of 51 cents, reaching 247.43 euros. The basic basket includes 51 items designed to meet very modest yet balanced monthly household needs. These include staple foods such as bread, flour, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, meat, cheaper fish, dairy products, spices, and hygiene essentials like soap, shampoo, detergent, and toilet paper. Quantities are adjusted to reflect actual minimum requirements, excluding luxury items and excesses. Hence, this basket is referred to as the "survival basket." The prices per county were calculated based on continuous monitoring of retail price lists that traders are required to publish daily under a government decree issued on May 2nd, 2025. The national basket price represents an average of regional values and provides the most accurate depiction of food and hygiene costs in Croatia, according to the portal's explanation. The standard basket, which includes 77 items and more accurately reflects real consumer habits of Croatian households, cost 726.58 euros in July, a 1.05 euro increase from June. In this category, Zadar County remained the most expensive at 749.87 euros, up 9.19 euros from the previous month. Dubrovnik-Neretva County and Istria County followed with prices of 749.09 euros and 743.18 euros respectively. The most favorable option was Sisak-Moslavina County at 701.29 euros, while Požeško-Slavonija County and Lika-Senj County were priced at 706 euros and 707.85 euros respectively. The difference between the most and least expensive regional standard baskets for a four-member household has grown to 48.57 euros, an increase of 7.58 euros from the previous month. For a three-person household, the standard basket cost 579.78 euros, approximately 83 cents higher than in June. The single-person basket increased by 50 cents, reaching 328.15 euros. According to Sinisa Bogdanic from the portal koliko.hr, the basic basket for a four-member household, which contains a large share of products with limited pricing, has actually become cheaper on an annual basis. In July 2025, it cost 484.08 euros, making it 3.09 euros or 0.64 percent cheaper than the current price. Meanwhile, the standard basket has increased from 718.10 euros to 726.58 euros, a rise of 8.48 euros or 1.18 percent annually. Although there is a connection between temperature and prices, it should be noted that records were set in March.
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