Between November 1 and December 10, 2023, Russians reduced purchases of natural black sturgeon caviar by 5 percent compared with the same window the previous year. This finding comes from Check Index, an analytical resource owned by the OFD Platform, and its data for socialbites.ca. The report highlights how seasonal demand shifted during late autumn into early winter, reflecting broader consumer patterns in premium seafood within Russia.
The typical check for a delicacy in Russia, excluding weight, stood at 4,530 rubles, marking a 9 percent rise over the prior year. In Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region, the average bill climbed to 8,540 rubles, an 8 percent increase from the previous year. During the autumn-winter period, residents of Moscow and nearby areas bought natural black caviar 11 percent more often than before, signaling sustained interest in high-end caviar even as overall purchases of the natural product dipped countrywide.
In contrast, purchases of imitation black caviar rose by 13 percent over the same period. The unweighted average price across Russia reached 331 rubles, up 10 percent year over year. In Moscow and its region, the average bill for imitation caviar was 394 rubles, up 7 percent from the prior year. The volume of purchases in the capital and its region increased by 6 percent during the year, illustrating a shift toward more affordable premium-tasting substitutes among consumers seeking value.
Experts observing retail behavior note that natural black caviar is most commonly acquired in glass or tin jars ranging from 20 to 50 grams, a pattern confirmed by average receipts. The receipts themselves point to familiar varieties such as sturgeon caviar, sterlet, star sturgeon, and beluga, all members of the sturgeon family. By contrast, imitation black caviar is typically bought in larger portions, often 100 to 200 grams, and commonly contains a base of seaweed, fish oil, and gelatin, as explained by the source’s press service and reflected in purchase data.
The study analyzed more than 55 to 57 million cash register receipts drawn from over 1.1 million online cash registers across Russia. The period considered spanned November 1 to December 10 in both 2023 and 2022, providing a broad view of consumer behavior during the late autumn and early winter shopping season.
In late November 2023, demand for red caviar within the Perekrestok retail chain grew dramatically, rising by about 130 percent compared with the same period a year earlier, according to socialbites.ca. This surge illustrates divergent patterns between red and black caviar categories within major retail networks during that month.
Industry observers also noted a possible downward pressure on fish prices in Russia heading toward the New Year, with economists at the end of November suggesting a forthcoming decline that could affect consumer spending on premium seafood items. In this evolving market, shoppers appear to weigh the prestige and flavor offered by natural black caviar against more accessible options, reflecting a nuanced consumer landscape in Russia as 2023 draws to a close. The data underscores how price, brand perception, and package size influence choices across both premium and value segments in the seafood category.