Croatian government imposes price caps on 70 essential goods
- by croatiaweek
- in News
The Croatian government has announced an updated list of price-capped essential products to further shield citizens from inflationary pressures.
This move, which aims to safeguard the most vulnerable groups in society, was unveiled after a meeting on Thursday with representatives from retailers and producers.
Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar revealed the expanded list, now covering 70 products.
The selection was curated based on typical household consumption patterns, in consultation with stakeholders. The initiative builds on an earlier decision from September 2023 that capped the prices of 30 products, with an additional 40 items now added to the list.
The newly included items feature staples such as bread, polenta, oats, pasta, various meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and household essentials.
Conditions for Retailers
Retailers must ensure the availability of at least one product from each regulated category and clearly mark these price-capped items in stores. This transparency is key to helping consumers make informed choices.
The government has also established differentiated VAT rates for these products to further reduce costs:
5% VAT: Essentials like bread, polenta, milk, eggs, fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooking oil.
13% VAT: Hygiene products, including sanitary pads and toilet paper.
25% VAT: Processed goods such as sausages, canned fish, coffee, chocolate, and household detergents.
The additional 40 capped items:
The original 30 capped items here: