The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at an emergency session and based on a proposal from the Federal Ministry of Trade, adopted a decision prescribing a measure of direct price control by setting maximum retail prices for certain products in retail stores across the territory of the Federation of BiH.
This decision establishes the maximum retail prices for 65 products, which are divided into two groups. Business entities (retailers) registered for retail trade are required to set prices for these products at or below the prescribed maximum retail price for at least one type of item within the same product category, if they offer it in their assortment.
If a specific type of item within the same product category is not available for sale, retailers must designate another item of the same product from their assortment to be subject to the price limitation. Legal entities registered for retail trade must apply the maximum retail prices across all their sales locations for all products from the first group and at least 15 products (of their choice) from the second group.
Individuals registered for retail trade must apply the maximum retail prices in their sales location for at least 10 products from the first group.
Products from the first group
Number Name of the product Package Locked retail price (BAM) Price in EUR
To ensure timely consumer awareness of retail product prices, retailers are required to clearly, visibly, and legibly display a visual identification mark alongside the retail price. Additionally, they must prominently display a poster at the store entrance or another location within the store, as well as on their website (if available). This poster must include at least the visual identification, a list of items, the previous (regular) price, and the “Locked Price” for the same product.
As of the effective date of this decision, the application of cantonal government decisions on direct price control measures for all food products covered under Article 9 of the Law on Price Control will cease.
The implementation and supervision of this decision will be entrusted to federal, cantonal, city, and municipal market inspection authorities. This decision will be in effect for 90 days from the date it comes into force, which occurs on the eighth day following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH.
As explained, the aim of this direct price control measure is to reduce inflation in the segment of essential food products, which are crucial for daily consumer needs, and to ensure their affordability, especially for those with lower incomes. Additionally, the measure aims to maintain market diversity and competition, allowing consumers to choose from different options while ensuring that retailers keep prices low without compromising product quality.
It was also emphasized that this measure is essential for market stability, consumer protection, and maintaining a healthy market environment, while providing the necessary flexibility for retailers to offer a variety of brands (items) within the established price limits.
To remind, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina there was a rise in minimal salary to 100 Bosnian marks (approximately 500 euros). This increase in the minimal salary caused inflation where many products in stores started increasing. Thus, “locking” the prices of certain products helps to keep the essential products affordable for Bosnian citizens.
Written by our correspondent D.I.
