Is sustainable caviar production possible? A Swedish case study

Caviar is among the most valuable aquaculture products, yet its sustainability remains contested due to dependence on wild fish for feed, animal welfare concerns, disease management, and high energy use. This study explores the sustainability challenges and trade-offs associated with caviar production through an exploratory case study of a Swedish producer that combines recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with live-harvest methods. Drawing on a targeted literature review and interviews with six stakeholders across the caviar value chain, we analyze key sustainability challenges in four domains: non-native species and regulation, feed dependency, disease and antibiotics, and repeated roe harvest. The findings show that while RAS offers biosecurity advantages and reduced nutrient emissions, it also entails high infrastructure and energy costs. Live-harvest methods improve resource efficiency by allowing multiple roe extractions, but raise animal welfare debates. Feed dependency emerges as a systemic challenge that cannot be solved by sturgeon farmers alone, though caviar’s luxury status may position it as a frontrunner for sustainable feed innovation. The study highlights how sustainability transitions are shaped not only by technology but also by regulation, market dynamics, and industry structures. We conclude that sustainable caviar production may be possible under specific context-dependent conditions, but that its realization depends on regulation, infrastructure, and broader stakeholder engagement.