Consumers are facing significant price hikes for this year’s Clean Monday meal — increases of up to 25–30% compared to last year. Seafood, the centerpiece of the traditional Lenten feast, is hitting wallets hardest.
Seafood Prices Surge
Octopus now costs €24 per kilogram — up from €18 in 2025 — while squid has climbed to as much as €22/kg, roughly €5 more than last year. Shrimp prices have risen from €12 to €14 per kilo, and cuttlefish (thrapsala) has jumped from €9.80 to €11.90/kg — a 21% increase.
According to data from the Organization of Central Markets and Fisheries, average seafood price hikes across the board sit between 15% and 16% compared to the same period last year.
Rising Costs Across the Traditional Menu
The trend extends beyond seafood. Lagana — the symbolic unleavened flatbread — now sells for up to €3.80, up from around €2.80 in 2025. Halva has climbed to approximately €12/kg from €9, and taramasalata now exceeds €20/kg — hovering near €21. Olives, meanwhile, cost €8/kg this year, up from €7.40 in 2025.
Shopping Patterns Shift Ahead of Clean Monday
Markets are already operating at full Clean Monday pace. The Varvakeio Market in Athens, for example, has seen heightened activity since midweek. Shoppers are comparing prices, conducting market research, and preparing for their Lenten meals — some buying early, others waiting until the last minute to secure the freshest produce.
These price increases reflect broader food inflation trends, placing added pressure on household budgets just as Lent begins.