Balkans Boycott Supermarkets Over Rising Grocery Prices.
A growing protest movement across the Balkans has seen consumers take a stand against rising grocery prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis. The campaign, which began in Croatia last Friday, has spread to neighbouring countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, gaining momentum largely through social media.
The initial boycott, led by the Croatian consumer rights group "Halo, inspektore" (Hello, Inspector), saw shoppers across Croatia refrain from making purchases at supermarkets. The group’s Facebook page was filled with images of empty supermarket shelves, demonstrating widespread participation. The call to action was spurred by escalating prices and the financial strain faced by many households.
On Thursday, the group announced an even more ambitious effort: a week-long boycott of supermarket chains Eurospin, Lidl, and DM, alongside a call for Croatians to limit all non-essential spending on Friday. This initiative echoed a similar protest action in Croatia the week before and has now garnered cross-border support from other Western Balkan nations.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, publicly supported the movement, stating, "As a citizen I support such action," during an interview with the national broadcaster. His endorsement reflects the growing frustration with soaring prices that is resonating throughout the region.
In Croatia, the government has taken steps to alleviate some of the pressure on consumers by expanding its list of price-capped essential items. The list grew from 30 to 70 products, now including various cheeses, coffee, and household necessities like soap. Croatia’s Economy Minister, Ante Šušnjar, commented, "The main aim is to protect the most vulnerable groups of citizens." These efforts come in response to a 4.5% inflation rate in December, the highest in the eurozone, where the average inflation rate was 2.4%.
The boycott’s impact has been significant. According to reports from Croatia's tax authorities, supermarket transactions on the day of the boycott saw a sharp decline of 44%, with overall sales dropping by 53%. This indicates how widespread and powerful the consumer-led protest movement has become.
Supermarket chains in Croatia are responding to the pressure. Kaufland Croatia has announced that, starting February 5, it will reduce prices on over 1,000 products. Similarly, Konzum, another major supermarket chain, has committed to investing €1 million to lower and freeze prices on 250 domestic products that are not covered by government price caps.
The ongoing protests and government actions underscore the urgent need to address the economic challenges faced by consumers in the region. While supermarket chains make adjustments, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to ease the growing discontent in the Balkans over inflation and the rising cost of living.
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