The Panama City Fish Market on Balboa Avenue opened for the Lent season with notably low customer turnout this Ash Wednesday. Vendors reported sluggish sales throughout the morning of February 18, 2026, a stark contrast to the traditionally busy start of the religious observance. Accessible pricing failed to draw the expected crowds, with merchants pointing to recent traffic pattern changes and extended carnival celebrations as potential causes.
Official price lists from the Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition Authority (Panama) showed a wide range of affordable seafood options. Shoppers could find titi shrimp for $3.00 per pound, red shrimp at $5.00, and lobster tails priced between $4 and $5. More economical choices included red snapper for $1.00 and white snapper at $2.00 per pound. Corvina fish sold for $3.25, while tuna and salmon fillets ranged from $2.50 to $4.00 depending on the vendor’s stall.
“The prices look quite good. For the start of Lent the price is very good, it seems accessible,” said one customer who came to buy seafood to maintain his family’s tradition of eating fish on Wednesdays and Fridays during the religious period. [Translated from Spanish]
Despite these competitive rates, the market atmosphere remained quiet. Several stalls did not even open for business during the morning hours. Vendors expressed clear disappointment, recalling that in previous years their stands would be full of customers by this time on Ash Wednesday. They now hope clientele will increase over the coming days as Lent continues.
Vendors Cite Traffic and Carnival Timing for Low Turnout
Market sellers attributed the surprising slowdown to several logistical factors. Recent adjustments to the closing and reopening times of nearby roads have altered traffic flow, they explained. The extended schedule for carnival festivities along the nearby Cinta Costera, which ended later than usual this year, also impacted the typical shopping rhythm. These disruptions appear to have delayed or reduced the traditional Ash Wednesday visit for many regular customers.
Merchant strategy now focuses on maintaining fresh product and low prices to stimulate demand. Some stall owners even mentioned offering special promotions for retirees. They consistently described the current fish prices as cheap and reasonable, a deliberate effort to attract budget-conscious consumers observing Lenten dietary traditions.
For countless Panamanian families, a visit to the Fish Market at the start of Lent represents a deep-rooted cultural and religious practice. The tradition of abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent drives a significant seasonal demand for seafood. This year’s slow start breaks a long-established pattern, causing concern among the market’s small business owners.
The coming weeks will test their resilience. Vendors are watching closely to see if sales will rebound on the upcoming Fridays of Lent, which typically see sustained customer traffic. Their immediate plan is simple. They will keep their fish fresh and their prices stable, betting that tradition and affordability will eventually bring the crowds back to Balboa Avenue.