We live in very uncertain times – pandemics, wars, and economic slowdown. Things seem to change every week, including prices. Rising inflation is sadly a global reality, and the imminent introduction of the Euro to Croatia will also have an impact.
There are other factors too, such as the tourist season, where some supermarkets inflate prices in the peak months to maximise profits.
So just how much are prices rising, how much more will they rise with the Euro, and what are the differences in prices around the country?
In an experiment at community participation, we are testing the TCN cost of living checker and asking for volunteers from around the country to collect information on prices of a selected set of staple items with popular brands, as well as the price of gas and electricity where you are, and to fill in a simple form once a month for an initial 6 months.
If we get a good response, this will help our data partners extrapolate a number of reports which should make quite interesting reading – how much prices are rising, which items are getting more expensive, what are the differences in price in and out of the season, as well as between different destinations.
Here is the list of items we have selected, filled in from the Konzum Online store by way of demonstration.
All we ask is that you commit to going to the same supermarket once a month and marking the prices in kuna (and preferably euro, but Excel can calculate that), as well as any notes, such as are they on special offer (akcija). A photo of the front of the store would also be requested. And the price per kW and m3 of your monthly gas and electricity bill.
Please note that we are looking for different supermarkets, not just Konzum, and all participants will be credited (unless they prefer not to be).
We would like to cover at least 20 places if possible – so far, we have volunteers for Zagreb Centre, Zagreb Crnomerec, Pula, Osijek, Vukovar, Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Trogir.
We would love to include as many as possible, including Split (centre), Split (suburbs), Makarska, Krk, Zadar, Sibenik, Rijeka, Rovinj, Karlovac, Varazdin, Slavonski Brod, Sinj, and Cakovec. All others welcome.
Above is the simple blank form to fill in – I can email a bigger version if required.
If there is enough interest to get involved, we will make this a regular monthly feature tracking the changes in prices and the variations between destinations. Which place in Croatia do you think will be the cheapest, and which the most expensive?
If you would like to get involved, please email [email protected] Subject Survey (Destination name), and I will be in touch with more details. Would like to start this week. It might even be fun…
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What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning – Business and Dalmatia.
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20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years: the Insider Guide to Surviving Croatia will be out by Christmas. If you would like to reserve a copy, email [email protected] Subject 20 Years Book
