Balkan citizens boycott supermarkets over rising prices

Angered by the continuous rise in prices, citizens of several Western Balkan countries were urged to boycott shopping at major grocery stores, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

The initiative was first launched in Croatia on January 24 and resulted in a nationwide sales drop of more than 50%.

Following calls from consumer representatives, Croats also started a similar action on January 30, but this time, the boycott will last a week, reports RFE/RL.

The boycott targets several large retail chains, amid suspicions that their prices do not align with those in other EU countries.

Similar boycott calls—mainly on social media—were also made in other Western Balkan countries.

The campaign gained traction in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia, despite the fact that food prices in Kosovo have also been rising in recent years.

North Macedonia: "Prices Are Too High"

In North Macedonia, Sasho Ristoski says rising prices are making life difficult, especially for pensioners and low-income families.

"Yes, yes, I have heard about the boycott, and I will support it because prices are too high. With these prices set by supermarkets, you cannot survive," the Skopje resident told RFE/RL.

According to him, essential products, which are in high demand, are among the most expensive.

"Almost all meat products, milk, oil, sugar… We, with lower incomes, can barely make it through the month," adds the pensioner.

"I will boycott supermarkets if I have no money, but if I need bread, I will go buy it," says Lile Silanovska, also from Skopje.

According to Business Network analysis, the seven largest supermarket chains in North Macedonia generated revenues of €930 million in 2023.

At the top of the list is Vero, which recorded profits of over €10 million—a nearly 13% increase compared to the previous year. Kam Market ranked second with net profits of €7.3 million. Among the most profitable companies is also Kipper, with €5.5 million in profits, followed by Stokomak, which earned €4 million.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, announced on January 29 strict inspections and sanctions for supermarkets violating the Law on Product Pricing.

"During the press conference, two supermarket chains were mentioned that might be playing games with laws and procedures. They will undergo rigorous inspection," Mickoski said.

Authorities also expressed support for the boycott of large stores, calling it a clear signal of citizens' dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation.

"We support citizens in boycotting, especially supermarkets that, in recent years, have drastically increased product prices without any economic logic," said North Macedonia’s Minister of Economy and Labor, Besar Durmishi.

"As the Ministry of Economy and Labor, we have adopted measures to protect citizens' living standards by freezing margins on basic food products to prevent excessive price hikes," he added.