by croatiaweek
August 15, 2026
in
The cost of essential food and household goods in Croatia rose slightly in July, while the gap between the most and least expensive counties widened, according to a monthly analysis by price comparison portal Koliko.HR and the Croatian Association for Consumer Protection (HUZP).
The basic food and hygiene basket for a four-person household averaged €480.99 nationally in July, an increase of €0.88 from June. The basket contains 51 basic products and is designed to cover only modest food and hygiene needs.
Zadar County recorded the highest average price at €498.08, up €8.06 compared with June. It was followed by Karlovac County at €496.48 and Zagreb at €496.13.
The lowest price was recorded in Sisak-Moslavina County, at €462.96, followed by Lika-Senj at €464.86 and Vukovar-Srijem at €466.43.
For the basic basket, the difference between the most and least expensive counties was €35.12.
The more comprehensive standard basket, containing 77 products and intended to better reflect typical household consumption, averaged €726.58 for a four-person family, €1.05 more than in June.
The biggest increases were recorded in several coastal counties. Zadar County was again the most expensive at €749.87, followed by Dubrovnik-Neretva at €749.09 and Istria at €743.18.
By comparison, the standard basket was cheapest in Sisak-Moslavina at €701.29, followed by Požega-Slavonia and Lika-Senj.
The gap between the most and least expensive standard baskets increased by €7.58 in one month, reaching €48.57.
HUZP president Ana Knežević said prices remained relatively high despite July being a period when domestic seasonal fruit and vegetables are widely available.
Year-on-year, the basic basket was actually €3.09 cheaper than in July 2025, while the standard basket was €8.48 more expensive. The standard basket reached its highest recorded monthly level in March, at €736.88.
Prices are calculated from continuously monitored retail price lists published by major retailers across Croatia.
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