Where our caviar comes from
Every tin we sell has a clear answer to three questions: which fish, which country, and how it legally reached the United States. Here they are — product by product.
Product by product
Kaluga Imperial
Huso dauricus × Acipenser schrenckii- Origin
- China
- Type
- Farm-raised
- Notes
- Hybrid of Kaluga and Amur sturgeon · why China
Osetra Classic
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii- Origin
- China
- Type
- Farm-raised
- Notes
- Russian sturgeon — the species, not the country
Royal Beluga Hybrid
Huso huso hybrid- Origin
- Azerbaijan
- Type
- Farm-raised
- Notes
- Limited availability — ask before ordering
Wild Alaskan Salmon Roe
Oncorhynchus keta- Origin
- Alaska, USA
- Type
- Wild-caught
- Notes
- Chum (keta) salmon
How sturgeon caviar reaches the U.S.
All sturgeon species are protected under CITES — the international convention that regulates trade in endangered species. That means sturgeon caviar can only enter the United States with CITES documentation.
Our sturgeon caviar is imported legally under CITES by a licensed U.S. distributor. King ROE does not repack caviar: we do not open, split or re-tin it.
“Osetra” is a fish, not a country
Osetra (Russian “осётр”) is the common name of a sturgeon species — the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. The name describes the fish, not where it was raised. Today this species is farmed in many countries; our Osetra Classic is farm-raised in China.
We do not sell Russian caviar. Since 2022 the United States has banned imports of Russian-origin seafood, including caviar, and later extended the ban to Russian seafood processed in other countries. Nothing we sell comes from Russia.
Red caviar: wild, from Alaska
Our Wild Alaskan Salmon Roe is roe of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), wild-caught in Alaska, USA — not farmed. Large, bright pearls with a clean taste of the northern sea.
Questions about origin
Is your caviar from Russia?
No. King ROE does not sell Russian caviar or any Russian seafood. Since 2022 the United States has banned imports of Russian-origin seafood, including caviar, and the ban was later extended to Russian seafood processed in other countries. Our sturgeon caviar is farm-raised in China (Kaluga Imperial, Osetra Classic) and Azerbaijan (Royal Beluga Hybrid); our salmon roe is wild-caught in Alaska.
Why is it called “Osetra” if it is not from Russia?
“Osetra” is the name of a sturgeon species — the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii — not a place of origin. Today this species is raised on farms in many countries. Our Osetra Classic is farm-raised in China.
Is the caviar imported legally?
Yes. All sturgeon species are protected under CITES, the international convention on trade in endangered species. Our sturgeon caviar is imported into the U.S. legally under CITES by a licensed U.S. distributor.
Do you repack the caviar?
No. King ROE does not repack caviar — we do not open, split or re-tin it.
Is the salmon roe wild or farmed?
Wild. Our red caviar is roe of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), wild-caught in Alaska, USA.
Still have a question?
Ask us anything about a specific tin — we reply on WhatsApp or by phone at +1 (786) 531-8185.