BAKU — September 4, 2025
Azerbaijan could begin exporting black caviar to the European Union as soon as late 2025 or early 2026, the head of the national fish producers’ association Zaur Salmanli said to Report, noting active talks with European counterparts and support measures in the pipeline from the Agriculture Ministry. Planned incentives include tax relief and technical assistance, he added.
Regulators say Azerbaijan’s authorization to export aquaculture-derived sturgeon caviar to the EU remains valid for 2025–2026, following annual monitoring plans run by the Food Safety Agency—clearing a key compliance hurdle for shipments.
The push comes amid rising output: official data cited by local media show 1.3 tonnes of sturgeon caviar produced in 2024—up 63% year-on-year—though export volumes remain modest as producers ramp capacity and meet certification demands.
Salmanli said fish farms are being registered and brought under unified management rules, a step meant to streamline oversight and bolster traceability for EU-bound consignments.
Context: EU entry requires strict animal-origin product controls, including residue monitoring and plant-by-plant listing. Azerbaijan’s recent renewals keep the door open; timing now hinges on commercial tie-ups and final logistics.
