Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia del Norte and Slovenia have joined the boycott against high prices, started last day 24 in Croatia, where sales were achieved in commercial chains and the government promoted a list of products with a Price stop.
The impact of the boycott on Friday of last week was evident in Croatia, where the billing of retail shops fell 53%, according to official data.
In response, the Government adopted this week a list of 70 products with limited prices, while large chains such as ‘Konzum’ and ‘Kaufland’ announced price reductions in more than 1,000 items from tomorrow.
This Friday, citizens mobilized again with a new day of boycott, this time broader, affecting not only retail trade, but also other sectors.
Although the reduction of purchases was lower than in the first protest, with 42% less turnover until 3:00 pm, this mobilization will place the problem of high prices on the public agenda.
Consumer associations, unions and opposition parties have supported the boycott in a country with one of the largest inflation of the European Union (4.5 % in December 2024, according to Eurostat) and in which a liter of milk is worth a euro and medium with an average salary of 1,300 euros.
Josip Kelemen, president of the Association ‘Hello Inspector’, who promoted the initiative, explained that the objective is Consumer protection laws.
“We have an example of Lidl, which sells the same coffee package, the same product, in Croatia for 6.49 euros, and in Slovenia, its normal price, not on offer, is 2.99 euros”
“We have an example of Lidl, which sells the same coffee package, the same product, in Croatia for 6.49 euros, and in Slovenia, its normal price, not on offer, is 2.99 euros. It is normal for the Consumers sit as sheep and rebel, “Kelemen told Digital Tportal.
The rest of the countries
This citizen movement has inspired other Balcanic countries, which followed the Croatian example. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the boycott for stores this Friday, promoted on social networks, has received the support of citizens, associations of consumers, unions, politicians and the Ombudsman for consumer protection, SASA Maric.
Maric is confident that this protest will mark the beginning of greater awareness among consumers about the power of their decisions.
Many citizens have expressed in the local media their indignation for high prices, noting that, despite the fact that the average salary in Bosnia is around 700 euros, basic products cost more than in Germany, where average income exceeds 3,800 euros.
In Macedonia del Norte, EFE He was able to check for several supermarkets and stores in the capital, Skopje, were practically empty, with very few clients inside.
“If there were about 50 customers yesterday at this time, today are around 30,” said a cashier from one of the country’s main supermarket chains.
According to the ‘360 Degrees’ research journalism platform, some foods cost more than 50% in January 2025 than in the same month of 2022.
Meanwhile, wages and pensions remain low: in 2024, the minimum wage was 360 euros and the average salary is 690 euros. Most pensions are between 260 and 320 euros per month.
In Montenegro, the `Alternative Montenegro ‘organization led the call, supported by the union union, which denounced that inflation has devoured all salary increases.
In Montenegro, between 2021 and 2024, food prices increased to 41%, according to statistics administration, while the net gains of commercial chains grew between 120 and 200% in the same period.
In Serbia, the ‘Efektiva’ consumer association denounced that food prices and other essential products are among the highest in Europe. In turn, the magazine ‘Biznis’ revealed that since 2021, food has risen 70%, eroding the purchasing power of wages and pensions.
“Our message is clear: we will not tolerate citizens’ looting!” They warned in their statement.
The ‘Sloga’ union (Unión) urged citizens to join the boycott, remembering that last October the authorities began investigations against four commercial chains for alleged pricing, but since then there has been no progress.
“Our message is clear: we will not tolerate citizens’ looting!” They warned in their statement.
Although there are still no official figures on the impact of boycott on most countries, numerous means coincide in stores with less influx than in previous days.
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