The popularity of caviar in recent years has led to an increase in demand and prices. But what is caviar exactly? It’s the salt-cured roe of certain sturgeon fish species. The scarcity and unique flavor characteristics are the main reasons why it’s considered to be one of the best examples of luxury food products. Fine dining establishments, seafood restaurants, catering businesses, and other businesses frequently use it. Just like any other niche market in the food industry, the global caviar market is changing. As new trends, recipes, and solutions emerge, both suppliers and restaurant businesses need to adapt. In this post, we’ll share more about the caviar market, its size, and what its future is likely to look like.
Key takeaway: The global caviar market is a fairly small part of the retail and bulk fish and seafood industries. It’s used in appetizers and seasonal seafood dishes. China and Russia play an important role as suppliers of this luxury food. The United States, France, and Russia are among the biggest consumers of caviar worldwide.
The Global Caviar Market
The international trade of caviar is dominated by countries where sturgeon fish species are native. That includes certain regions in Europe, Asia, and North America. China, Russia, and the United States are among the biggest producers of the salt-cured roe of sturgeon fish that is better known as caviar. Other types of roe also play an important part in the specialty food sector.
Size of the Global Caviar Market
The global caviar market is fairly small in size. According to revenue estimates, its size is roughly 330 million USD. The market has an expected annual growth rate of around 5% for the next five years. There are two main reasons why the caviar market is a fairly small part of the seafood industry.
- Caviar is only made of a very few fish species. Their overexploitation has led to certain species becoming endangered. This has led to further restrictions on the supply of caviar.
- Sturgeon fish species are only found in certain parts of the world. For example, traditional caviar is made from sturgeon fish from the Caspian and Black Seas.
The limited supply has led to increased popularity of caviar alternatives such as carp or salmon roe. Masago is another popular type of fish roe that is common in sushi. These non-sturgeon caviar options are popular in many cuisines around the world, especially in East Asia. The global market size of fish roe is around 5 billion dollars. This makes it roughly 15 times bigger than the size of the caviar market.
Trends in the Caviar Market
The rising popularity of luxury foods and the foodie culture has led to increased demand for specialty foods such as caviar. Sectors such as food tourism and high-end dining are likely to grow further. Seafood distribution companies have adapted to this trend by offering products such as caviar, roe, seaweed, and squid ink.
Another major trend in the global caviar market is related to sustainability. Both consumers and business owners look for seafood products that are harvested sustainably without endangering the population of sturgeon fish and the environment. This has led to the development of the “no-kill” extraction method. The sustainability trend is likely to be a major factor in the near future of the commercial fishing industry.
The health benefits of seafood have been known for decades and caviar makes no exception. A growing number of people aim to include seafood products in their diet as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins. This trend has shifted the food industry and made seafood a high-demand product category.
The rising popularity of Asia-Pacific cuisines has also led to growth in the global caviar market. This expansion has led to the development of the Asian cuisine restaurant industry in Western countries.
What Businesses Buy Caviar
Various companies purchase fish roe and caviar. Here are some types of businesses that play a significant role in the caviar market.
- Restaurants. They purchase wholesale food products from broadliners or specialized food suppliers. Fine dining and gourmet restaurants are the primary purchasers of bulk caviar and roe. They are used as ingredients in appetizers and various seafood dishes.
- Catering companies. Event organizers and caterers often use caviar and roe for corporate or special occasions. Even a small quantity of these products can add an additional feeling of luxury to appetizers.
- Airlines and cruise ships. It’s hard for large airlines to compete with their low-cost competitors. One thing well-established airlines do is make the trip feel like a luxury experience. That’s why they are among the main purchasers of bulk caviar. The same is true for cruise ships that wish to offer a high-end dining experience to their customers.
- Retailers. Specialty food stores, grocery chains, and other retailers often work directly with manufacturers in order to get even better wholesale prices.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Caviar Market
If you wish to know more about starting a seafood business or what makes wholesale ordering software a must nowadays, there are multiple useful resources on BlueCart’s website. Below we’ve answered some common questions regarding the global caviar market.
Which Countries Consume the Most Caviar?
Russia, France, and the US are the countries that consume the most caviar. French cuisine is known for its appetizers (known as hors d'oeuvres). Consumption of caviar and roe has historical significance in Russian society. As traditional caviar is extracted in the Black and Caspian Seas, it’s only logical for these products to be popular in countries in this region. The US is the largest market for luxury goods and that’s also true for specialty and gourmet foods such as caviar. Other countries that consume a lot of caviar and roe include China, Japan, the UAE, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
What Are the Different Types of Caviar?
Traditional caviar (also known as classical caviar) is the most popular type on the market. It’s extracted in the regions of Caspian and Black Seas from different sturgeon fish species. It’s also the rarest and most expensive type of caviar. Its color is light to dark gray. Sturgeon species are also found in the Mississippi River basin and near the West Coast. They produce the product known as American caviar. Red, yellow, and orange roe types are referred to as non-sturgeon caviar alternatives. Their lower price makes them important products in the caviar market.
What Businesses Sell Caviar?
As caviar has become increasingly popular in recent years, various companies sell this luxury food product. Grocery chains and specialty food retailers sell it to end customers. Wholesale seafood distributors and specialty food suppliers are focused primarily on bulk sales of caviar. They often import caviar and roe products from different regions of the world. Broadliners also offer various types of caviar. However, some Michelin-starred restaurants and specialized stores prefer to partner with gourmet and specialty food distributors. That’s because these wholesalers can offer not only caviar wholesale but also a variety of other luxury products that usually have limited supply.
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