ENR: Cost of Living Crisis Drives Western Balkans Consumers to Boycott Supermarkets

Boycotts Erupt Across the Balkans Over Rising Prices

In late January, a wave of supermarket boycotts began in Croatia, fueled by public outrage over escalating prices. This sentiment is not isolated; citizens in neighboring EU candidate countries are experiencing similar frustrations. The boycott movement was initiated by a Facebook group named “Hello, Inspector” (“Halo, inspektore” in Croatian), garnering support from consumer protection organizations, labor unions, political parties, and even the Minister of Economy.

Josip Kelemen, an advisor to one of the participating Consumer Associations, stated ahead of the third round of boycotts on February 7, “Today we are boycotting everything again, from supermarkets to pharmacies, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. Let’s not enter any store or hire any service.” The movement began with social media calls urging citizens to halt all purchases, and has since expanded to other regions within the Balkans, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia.

The Struggle with Rising Costs

The crisis has two primary facets: high prices are making it increasingly challenging for consumers to manage their budgets, while local producers argue they cannot compete with larger chains since imports are often cheaper and leave them unable to cover production costs. Economists attribute this surge in prices in Croatia to a sharp increase in personal consumption and domestic demand, against a backdrop of limited supply. This heightened demand has been spurred by significant infusions of European recovery funds post-pandemic.

Across the EU, living costs continue to rise, with wages failing to keep pace with surging food prices.

Expanding the Boycott Movement

The call for boycotts has found resonance in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro as citizens grapple with rising living costs. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, an informal group named “Bojcot u BiH” organized a boycott of major retail chains on February 7 and 8, prompting noticeable declines in sales.

Shops in North Macedonia saw fewer patrons on January 31 and February 7 as shoppers turned to street markets, reflecting widespread support for the boycott. However, many citizens voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of a one-day protest, especially given the persistent price hikes and stagnant wages.

In Serbia, the consumer organization “Efektiva” urged a one-day boycott on January 31, referencing ongoing investigations into four large retail chains for suspected unfair pricing practices. A second boycott campaign is set to launch on February 10, targeting five major retail chains for five days.

Montenegro witnessed similar activities on January 31 and February 7-8, driven by rising prices of essential goods. The organization “Alternative Montenegro” expressed on social media, “Every day we witness unprecedented increases in the prices of basic goods, while the owners of large chains accumulate profits at the expense of the people. It is time to say: enough!” This initiative received backing from Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, alongside certain NGOs and labor unions.

In Bulgaria, four organizations have recently called for a boycott of retail chains, led by Velizar Entchev, a former Bulgarian ambassador to Croatia, signaling the movement’s growth.

While Albania and Slovenia have yet to see organized boycotts, Romanians remain undecided. Calls have surfaced in Romania for a one-day supermarket boycott over complaints that they do not stock local products. Agriculture Minister Florin-Ionuț Bârbă cautioned against such actions, arguing it could lead to the bankruptcy of Romanian food processing companies, which supply 70% of retail products.

Despite sporadic calls for boycotts in Albania, the government’s recent hikes in public sector wages and pensions, along with electricity price cuts, have led to relative stability in supermarket pricing. In Slovenia, while high food prices remain a pressing topic, there has been no formal boycott. However, statistical reports indicate that after a period of rising prices, costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages stabilized in 2024. Notably, shopping centers in Slovenia have seen an influx of Croatian customers during the boycott, as Croatians seek cheaper food and cleaning products across the border. Slovenian consumers also continue to shop in Italy for better deals.