The consumer basket in Bosnia and Herzegovina is at record levels. According to the latest data, in June it amounted to 3,180 BAM in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while in May it reached 2,738 BAM in the Republika Srpska – the highest in the last ten years in both entities.
The rise in prices of basic foodstuffs and services continues to outpace the rise in wages, making it increasingly difficult for citizens to survive. Although there are market controls, the effects are minimal.
“We have the highest amount of the consumer basket since analyses began. The rise in prices and the cost of living no longer follows the rise in wages,” state the trade union organizations of both entities.
According to trade union data, almost half of monthly expenses still go to food. At the same time, prices in the housing, utilities and numerous services sectors continue to rise across the country.
Božana Radomir from the Confederation of Trade Unions of the RS warns that the rise in prices is constant and unjustified.
“Since the end of 2021, we have had a constant rise in prices, imported inflation, and problems with energy sources. Every wage increase was just an adjustment, but it could not keep up with the increase in the cost of living. Today, two-thirds of workers cannot even cover 30 to 50 percent of the consumer basket with their salary,” says Radomir.
Citizens are increasingly looking for discounts, buying smaller quantities, and noticing new “tricks” in stores.
“I have the feeling that this is all a deal between stores. Prices are rising, the food is the worst. This will never stagnate here,” said one interviewee from Mostar.
“Half a kilo of coffee is 15 BAM, a kilo is 30. Every day you come – a new price,” added a citizen from Banja Luka.
Although retailers justify the price increases by increasing wages, taxes, and energy prices, analyses show that the actual increase in input costs does not justify such a jump in retail prices.
Jovan Vasilić, president of the Consumers’ Association “Zvono” from Bijeljina, believes that the situation is alarming, while authorities in the RS claim that the margins have not been exceeded.
The Minister of Trade and Tourism of the RS, Denis Šulić, stated:
“We are continuing inspection controls of margins on basic foodstuffs and consumer goods. According to reports, the margins currently do not exceed the level defined by the regulation.”
However, the public is not seeing concrete results. Previous measures, such as limiting margins or boycotting stores, have not produced long-term effects. Prices are no longer rising spontaneously, but planned, and it is increasingly difficult to track them.
Citizens are silent, politicians remain silent, and the inspection only occasionally reacts. At the same time, traders are making extra profits, and budget revenues from VAT have never been higher.
The conclusion is clear – those who fill the budget are still the weakest link in the system.
