The upcoming festive period will see no let-up for Croatians as households continue to feel the pinch of the ever-worseningcost of living crisis. While Easter lunches already forced locals to fork out eyewatering costs in 2024, the situation has worsened this year.

According to union calculations, even the most modest Easter lunch last year cost around £100, while more lavish spreads reached nearly £344. This year, the crisis is even worse, with a recent analysis showing that prices for common Easter items have surged once again. In many cases, food has never been so expensive in the southeastern European country that draws in millions of British tourists every year.

A recent analysis by Index.hr - which looked at 10 popular Easter items from the same brands and weights over a six-year period - revealed that the total cost is the highest so far.

This year, the total cost of these items hit €27.64 (just under £23.80) - marking a 14.3% jump compared to 2024.

In 2020, the same basket of goods cost €22.25 (£19.14). Prices steadily increased year after year, with 2023 and 2024 averaging around €24 (£20.65).

Most worrying was the price hike for everyday items. The analysis revealed that a bundle of spring onions rose from 0.66 (57p) to €0.89 (77p), while a one-kilo pack of French salad - a holiday staple - is now €2.15 (£1.85) more expensive than it was in 2020. This marks a 60% increase.

Eggs and cheese are also more expensive, costing €0.50 (43p) more than last year, despite government-imposed price limits. A one-kilo slab of ham cost € 5.57 (£4.79) in 2020, whereas today it costs just under €6.80 (£5.85).

There is some good news, however, as chocolate eggs – which peaked in price during 2021 and 2022 at 69p – are now back to their 2020 price levels.

With no major food price drops on the horizon and inflation remaining high, many Croatian families are having to opt for simpler Easter meals with cheaper ingredients. Many are also banking on supermarket discounts ahead of the holiday in the next week.

The traditional Easter meal in Croatia includes a ham that is often baked in bread, or roast lamb, along with raw radishes, spring onions and horseradish. Beautifully decorated hard-boiled eggs are also a staple.

Primorski uskrsne bebe bread (literally "Easter babies from Primorje") is also traditionally made in Primorje and Istria. The dough is plaited around colourful, dyed eggs.

In 2024, Croatia welcomed a total of 21.3 million tourists, with the UK being a significant source market, seeing a 9% increase in visitor arrivals.