Pula implements price caps for Advent holiday stalls

The city of Pula has introduced price limits for popular food and beverage items at its Advent holiday stalls to prevent uncontrolled price increases. Under the new regulations, hot dogs, hamburgers, and cod will be capped at five euros, while mulled wine, hot chocolate, and cocoa are set at three euros. Tea and water will be sold for two euros, and sweets such as fritule, pancakes, and Christmas cookies will cost three euros.

Deputy Mayor Siniša Gordić explained that the restrictions apply to one mandatory product per stall as specified in the public call. Vendors are permitted to set their own prices for additional products based on market interest. The regulation also dictates specific portion sizes and quantities for the capped items.

Local restaurateurs have expressed mixed reactions. While some welcome the initiative, others warn that ingredient quality and portion sizes significantly impact costs. One vendor noted that while an 80-gram hot dog can meet the five-euro cap, a larger 100-gram sausage would require a higher price point. This pricing model follows a similar approach used in Poreč, which has successfully utilized price caps for holiday offerings for several years.