Caviar Sales Surge in India as Imports Face 50 Percent Price Hike and Tight Wildlife Controls

Sturgeon-based caviar is quietly making its way onto Indian dining tables, thanks to innovative packaging and swift delivery by companies like Paris-based Kaviari and Bangalore’s Caviar India and Catch of Norway. With 10g and 30g tins now available, this luxury food is becoming accessible for family dinners and special occasions—not just private clubs.

Importing caviar into India is far from easy or cheap. Every batch must be accompanied by CITES certification to ensure sturgeon are not poached, a process that has become stricter as wild stocks in the Caspian Sea have plummeted and the white sturgeon is now considered critically endangered.

Most caviar sold in India is farmed in Europe or China, where aquaculture production has ramped up to meet growing demand. Yet, strict cold-chain logistics and import duties can raise prices by as much as 50%.

The Indian National Fisheries Development Board is now exploring local sturgeon farming, having funded studies and pilot projects. If domestic production takes off, Indian consumers may soon enjoy fresher, more affordable caviar—despite the ongoing global challenges facing this ancient delicacy.