As the Lenten season commences, many Christians are preparing for the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays and partaking in fish fries. This year, however, consumers are facing a significant challenge as the prices of essential seafood items like cod and shrimp have surged. This price increase coincides with the heightened demand for seafood during Lent, which is traditionally one of the busiest periods for seafood sales, especially on Fridays, as highlighted by Mark Frisch, an executive at Beaver Street Fisheries, a major seafood importer in the USA.

The rise in seafood prices can be attributed to a combination of factors impacting supply and operating costs globally. Tight quotas in certain fisheries, along with variations in fish populations, have led to a decreased harvest volume. These supply constraints, coupled with persistent operational expenses, have resulted in more expensive seafood offerings just as demand for these products surges during the Lenten season. Retailers and suppliers like Beaver Street Fisheries are noting a typical increase in sales, with expectations of around a 10% rise during this period, which further complicates the affordability for consumers.