Josip Tica warns of economic risks and food price inflation in Croatia

Josip Tica, a professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and member of the SDP Economic Council, has warned of potential economic risks for Croatia heading into the autumn. He noted that while food price indices are currently lower than during the 2022 onset of the war in Ukraine, recent increases driven by drought and rising energy costs could be used as a pretext to artificially inflate prices, particularly in smaller markets like Croatia.

Tica emphasized that rising food costs disproportionately affect retirees and low-wage earners, as these groups spend a significant portion of their income on energy and food. He cautioned that because Croatia has experienced higher inflation rates than much of Europe, there is an increased risk of a slowdown in economic activity.