New Constellation of Black Caviar

When mentioning the exquisite delicacy of black caviar, most people immediately form the following associative chain: Caspian, Iran, Russia, poachers. As for the first three associations, the situation in the caviar market has changed, and we will now tell you about it. However, poaching has indeed led to a sharp reduction in sturgeon populations worldwide. In order to ensure the survival and recovery of sturgeon populations, all species of these ancient fish were included in a special agreement in 1998—the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Thanks to modern aquatechnologies, which, albeit not quickly, are creating a new reality in the black caviar market, the volume of which, according to experts, will reach $540 million by the end of 2025. We will talk about the countries that have changed and continue to change gastronomic stereotypes, becoming leading producers and exporters of black caviar.

Israel

Source: Karatcaviar.com

The creation of a special fish farming industry for breeding sturgeon and obtaining caviar in Israel is attributed to immigrants from Romania. In the 1990s, in the historical region of Galilee in the north of the country, specifically in the Kibbutz Dan near the border with Lebanon, immigrants decided to cultivate sturgeon breeds. Before that, they bred trout since 1939, and later tilapia, catfish, carp, but it was sturgeon that brought the company to the international level, making Israel one of the world's largest suppliers of quality black caviar. In honor of the legendary locality, it was called "Caviar haGalil," meaning "Galilee Caviar."

The sturgeon farm is located near the tributary of the Jordan River, the Dan Stream, with perfectly clean water from the snow-covered Mount Hermon. The surrounding area is also free from any kind of environmental pollution, which is an additional advantage for the producer.

China

Source: Kalugaqueen.com

Although China has become a leader in exporting its own black caviar, connoisseurs worldwide treat the Chinese delicacy with caution. Indeed, this country is known for numerous international incidents related to dangerous food falsification. Sturgeon farms in China are no exception—they are questionable from an ecological point of view, using uncontrolled growth hormones, cheap bone meal, GMO-modified feeds, and even flour made from... feathers!

Despite this, China has become the main supplier of black caviar to Ukraine—before the COVID-19 epidemic, these deliveries reached 6.2 tons per year or about 85% of the total volume of black caviar supplied to the Ukrainian market. This happened not only because of the relatively low price compared to other producers but primarily because Chinese black caviar is packaged and sold under European brands. Or it is presented as contraband from Russia and Iran, thus deceiving careless and greedy consumers.

To avoid falling for this trick, it is necessary to know that quality black caviar, regardless of where it is produced, should be accompanied by CITES documents, and the containers should have special protective strips and codes.

Ukraine

Source: Kindfish.com.ua

Not too long ago, the market for illegal black caviar in Ukraine reached almost 100%. But now, local producers, including well-known names like Kind Fish, Stellar Caviar, Osetr, Royal Caviar, and Bester, export the majority of sturgeon caviar to France, Denmark, the United States, Israel, Australia, Japan, Iceland, and even Saudi Arabia.

Engaging in sturgeon breeding for black caviar is an exceedingly slow business. To raise, for example, a mature sturgeon in conditions close to natural, it takes a minimum of 6 years, sturgeon takes 10-12 years, and beluga will yield caviar almost two decades after careful care. Not all businessmen are willing to work for such a long time for results, but those who take the risk will see positive dynamics.

Svitlana Zabolotna, who, along with her husband Yuri and the Kind Fish team, has been involved in sturgeon breeding for over 20 years, believes that the niche nature of this business has allowed it to develop even when the country is at war.

Photo: Svitlana Zabolotna on the caviar farm, Source: Provided by the author

"In fact, the production of black caviar in Ukraine is growing even in the conditions of full-scale Russian aggression. This is because sturgeon farmers started breeding offspring long before the war, some even from the early 2000s," said Svitlana in a comment to The Gaze. "Unfortunately, a big war has come to Ukraine, but the fish in people's homes has already grown, matured, so caviar production is not abandoned. They even order it in front-line cities. People in Ukraine have formed a culture of consuming black caviar, and it stands on the festive tables of many Ukrainian families at least several times a year."

Vietnam

Source: Caviardeduc.com

The rapid development of aquatechnologies and international trade has allowed Vietnam to successfully engage in the breeding and cultivation of valuable sturgeon breeds. It has also emerged as a global leader in black caviar exports, ranking 2nd in the world in 2019. Official Hanoi attributes the success of its own caviar production industry to the top 10 most promising and plans to produce one-third of the world's "harvest" of this extraordinary product.

Thanks to giant hydroelectric power stations and cold water from local mountains, sturgeon, including valuable and rare breeds like beluga, are cultivated in their natural environment. Vietnamese caviar is of high quality, delicious, and convenient for transportation to markets in Asia and Australia. Professional tasters recommend trying Vietnamese black caviar of the malossol type, grown in the highlands.

Italy

Source: Calvisius.com

Data statistics for 2022, recently released by the Italian Fishermen's Association, reveal an interesting fact: sturgeon caviar production in Italy accounts for approximately 10% of the world's supply at 600 tons. About 90% of Italian black caviar is exported, allowing it to take second place in the world in sales.

Local producers, the majority of which are located in the Po River basin in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, strictly adhere to both their own and government rules, guaranteeing consumers high-quality products. Thanks to constant technological innovations, well-placed farms, and Italian passionate work, local caviar is extremely high quality and tasty. Although it cannot boast of low prices, which every buyer of this gastronomic masterpiece dreams of.