Iran’s caviar exports climbed to nearly $8mn in the Persian year to March 20, expanding to 42 international markets, the secretary-general of the country’s Union of Aquatic Production and Trade said on May 20, IntelliNews’ local reporter learned.

The performance shows a sector balancing steady long-term growth with acute short-term disruption. Export revenues rose from $3.188mn in 2023 to around $6mn in 2024, before accelerating again in 2025, while shipments were repeatedly disrupted by geopolitical tensions and transport bottlenecks linked to flight suspensions in early 2026.

Ali-Akbar Khodaei said export earnings for the 12 months to March 20, were estimated at between $7.8mn and $8mn. He added that volumes also increased, with shipments reaching 7,130 kg in the 10-month period from March 20, to January 19, 2026, up from 6,200 kg a year earlier, marking a 14% rise.

However, he said exports fell to zero after February 2026, when international flight suspensions disrupted air freight routes, the main channel for caviar shipments.

“The shock was immediate,” he said, adding that exporters quickly diverted cargo overland to neighbouring countries before re-exporting via third-country air routes.

Khodaei said operations have since largely normalised as international flights resumed, though the episode underscored the sector’s vulnerability to logistical shocks.

He added that exporters are now actively “diversifying routes” to reduce reliance on direct air corridors from Iran.

Europe remained the largest destination market, alongside the UAE, other Arab states, parts of Asia and Africa. Khodaei said Iran is seeking to deepen access in Russia, Turkey, African markets and Southeast Asia to offset volatility in traditional export destinations.

He said prolonged instability posed risks to trade flows but also accelerated adaptation across the industry. “We turn challenges into opportunities,” he said, pointing to expanded marketing efforts and alternative distribution channels developed during the disruption period.

Iran’s caviar industry, long associated with Caspian sturgeon, is now almost entirely farmed, with producers relying on long production cycles of around 10 years before fish mature. Khodaei said earlier investment in aquaculture is now beginning to pay off as larger stocks enter production.

He added that global demand for Iranian caviar remains resilient and continues to broaden geographically. In addition to official exports, several tonnes of caviar are also believed to leave the country annually through passenger transport, he said.

With sturgeon herds expanding and farm output rising, Khodaei said both production and exports are expected to continue their upward trajectory in coming years, despite periodic external shocks to logistics and trade routes.