As Clean Monday approaches on February 23, 2026—the first day of Lent in the Greek Orthodox tradition—households are preparing for the traditional outdoor feast. This year, prices for the iconic lagana, a flat, unleavened bread baked especially for the occasion, remain largely unchanged from last year, despite rising production costs. Bakers have opted to keep prices accessible amid ongoing economic pressures.
Lagana Pricing Overview
According to current market data:
- Classic lagana (750 g): €3.30–€3.80
- Small lagana (approx. 500 g): €1.90–€2.20
- Specialty varieties (with olives, sun-dried tomato, mushrooms, etc.): €4–€5
Final prices may vary slightly depending on region, bakery, or supermarket chain.
Seafood Prices Climb Ahead of Clean Monday
In contrast, seafood—central to the Clean Monday table—has seen notable price increases. Since January, frozen seafood items including squid, octopus, cuttlefish, shrimp, prawns, and anchovies have risen by 10% to 18% in supermarkets. Some products even saw hikes of 3% to 15% within just two weeks, with the steepest jumps observed for pre-cleaned items—reflecting persistent pressures across Greece’s food supply chain.
Current Prices at Athens Central Market (per kilogram)
- Red mullet: €18.90
- Whitebait (marida): €4.90
- Grey mullet (koutsomoura): €13.90
- Anchovies (sardela): €5.90
- Squid: €13–€16.90
- Anchovy fillets (thrapsala): €6–€7.80
- Fresh octopus: €15–€24
- Frozen octopus: €14–€24
- Shrimp: €7.99–€14
Other Lenten staples—including halva and olives—are also experiencing modest price increases. As a result, many consumers are adjusting their shopping habits, purchasing smaller quantities in line with their household budgets.