Bulgarian caviar producer sees global orders triple ahead of schedule - EXCLUSIVE
Global demand for premium caviar is increasing, bringing renewed international attention to Bulgaria's sturgeon farming industry.
This was said by Emil Arabadjiiev, the Owner of AEmillius Caviar, in an exclusive interview with CE Report.
According to Arabadjiiev, demand began rising sharply at the start of the summer season, with the company's planned production for the period selling out three times faster than expected. Despite the surge in orders, AEmillius Caviar has been able to meet demand because its farms are not yet operating at full production capacity.
He said the increase in global demand has highlighted the quality of Bulgarian-produced caviar, including Russian sturgeon, Beluga × Sevruga hybrid, and pure Beluga varieties.
Arabadjiiev stressed that expanding production requires a long-term approach, as sturgeon farming cycles typically take between seven and more than 12 years, depending on the species. Rather than attempting to accelerate fish maturation, the company is investing in additional facilities, carefully planned restocking programs, and advanced fish management techniques such as early sex identification to improve production efficiency.
He emphasized that maintaining product quality remains the company's highest priority, adding that Bulgaria's favorable natural conditions provide an ideal environment for sustainable sturgeon farming while allowing production volumes to grow without compromising standards.
Addressing environmental responsibility, Arabadjiiev said the company fully supports the ban on wild sturgeon fishing and actively participates in initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring sturgeon populations in the Danube River.
He argued that raising public awareness about the risk of extinction and supporting conservation efforts have a greater long-term impact than relying solely on enforcement against illegal fishing. According to him, consumers increasingly reject unregulated caviar, making sustainable aquaculture the foundation of the industry's future.
Arabadjiiev noted that the international reputation of Bulgarian caviar depends on strict quality control, guaranteed aquaculture origin, and responsible practices across the entire sector. He added that sustainability and sturgeon conservation are becoming key competitive advantages in the global black caviar market.
He also highlighted that AEmillius Caviar provides full product traceability, certificates of origin, and quality guarantees to all of its European partners, reinforcing confidence in Bulgarian caviar on international markets.
Photo: Mail
This interview was prepared by Laura Hoffman
