Buying caviar in Dubai is easy. Buying the right caviar takes a little more care. Sturgeon caviar is one of the most closely protected foods in the world, and the UAE has its own law on how it can be imported. This guide pulls the facts together in one place, so you know what to look for before you pay.
Caviar in numbers
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon and paddlefish species threatened with extinction | All 26 remaining species (July 2022) | IUCN Red List, via WWF |
| Age at which sturgeon mature and produce eggs | 3 to 18 years, depending on species | Aquaculture (2025) |
| China's caviar exports in 2023 | 276 tonnes, about 40% of the global market | South China Morning Post |
| Italy's caviar production in 2023 | 65 tonnes, the third-largest producer | Aquaculture (2025) |
| UAE law on trade in endangered species | Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 | UNEP / FAOLEX |
Why caviar is so tightly controlled
Wild sturgeon were fished so heavily for their eggs that every remaining species is now on the edge of extinction. International trade in sturgeon is strictly controlled. In practice, caviar from wild sturgeon has almost disappeared from legal trade, and the caviar you buy today comes from sturgeon raised on farms.
Farming takes patience. Depending on the species, a sturgeon needs between 3 and 18 years before it produces eggs, which is a big part of why caviar costs what it does. If you want the full story of how caviar is made, read our guide What Is Caviar?
What UAE law says
The UAE regulates trade in endangered species under Federal Law No. 11 of 2002. Under this law, import documents are valid for 12 months and export documents for 6 months. Import permits are issued by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
For you as a buyer, this means one simple thing: buy from a seller who imports caviar properly and can tell you clearly where it comes from.
A 7-point checklist before you buy
- Know where it comes from. A reputable seller can tell you the type of sturgeon and the country it comes from.
- Check the seal. The tin should arrive sealed and undamaged.
- Ask about the cold chain. Caviar should be kept between −3°C and 0°C. In the UAE heat, ask how it will reach you and how long it will be in transit. See how our caviar delivery works.
- Check the date. Look for a clear best-before date, and remember that opened caviar should be eaten within three days.
- Sense-check the price. At Samarkha, caviar costs from 6.25 to 13.00 AED per gram depending on type and size. Prices far below the market are worth questioning. Compare every type in our caviar prices in Dubai guide.
- Match the name to the species. "Beluga" should mean caviar from beluga sturgeon or a beluga hybrid. "Caviar" on its own, in international trade terms, means sturgeon roe, not salmon or lumpfish roe. Our guide to black caviar vs red caviar explains the difference.
- Buy the size you will finish. Allow about 28g per person for a generous serving, or 10–15g for canapés, so nothing is left to spoil.
Where today's caviar comes from
Caviar farming has spread around the world. China is now the largest producer and exporter: its caviar exports reached 276 tonnes in 2023, almost double the 140 tonnes it shipped in 2019. Russia and Italy follow, and farms in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere produce smaller volumes.
Where your caviar was produced matters, but it is not a score. Taste depends on the species, the farm, the water, the age of the fish and how carefully the eggs are salted. The best way to choose is still the simplest: decide which flavour you prefer. Our Beluga vs Osetra comparison is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to buy caviar in Dubai?
Yes. Caviar from farmed sturgeon can be sold legally in the UAE when it is imported with the correct permits.
Is wild caviar still available?
Very rarely. All sturgeon species are threatened, and trade in caviar from wild sturgeon is not allowed from most places, so almost all caviar sold today is farmed.
Why is caviar so expensive?
Sturgeon take 3 to 18 years to mature, the eggs must be harvested and salted with great care, and the caviar must stay cold from farm to table. Rarer types such as Beluga cost more again.
How do I know caviar is fresh?
Fresh caviar smells clean and lightly of the sea, and the pearls are glossy and separate. See our guide on how to store caviar for the signs to look out for.
Buy caviar in Dubai with confidence
Samarkha delivers Osetra, Imperial Osetra, Beluga, Royal Beluga and the golden Royal Gold in tins from 50g to 1kg, chilled and on the same day across all seven emirates. Browse our full collection of caviar in Dubai, or read the complete guide to Beluga caviar.