Food, vegetables, and meat cheaper than EU average here, everything else more expensive – one thing even 33% higher

Food prices in Croatia are higher than the European Union average for most categories, with the exception of meat, fruit, and vegetables, according to an analysis of price levels in European countries last year.

The most significant price difference is observed in water and juices, which are 33% more expensive than the EU average. Bread and cereals are 6% higher, fish 10% higher, and milk, cheese, and eggs are 11% above the EU average. In contrast, meat is 10% cheaper, fruit is 14% cheaper, and vegetables are 7% cheaper than the EU average.

The analysis highlights that the issue for Croatian consumers is not luxury or exotic products, but rather staple items like milk, cheese, and eggs, which are more expensive than in Germany, France, or Austria. Another surprising finding is in the "other food products" category, which includes sugar, sweets, snacks, and ready-made meals. In this group, Croatia is a quarter more expensive than the European average.

The data suggests that fresh produce does not deviate as much in price as processed goods that undergo processing, packaging, distribution, and retail. The report, based on Eurostat data from 2026, indicates that while some basic food items are cheaper, the overall cost of groceries, particularly processed items, makes Croatia a more expensive place to shop for food compared to many other EU nations.