In Kamchatka, mold and dangerous bacteria were found in red caviar. Prices for it have nearly doubled in a year.
Red caviar in Kamchatka: Rosselkhoznadzor specialists confirmed 233 positive results out of 630 batches tested. Prices have nearly doubled in a year.
From January 12 to October 16, specialists from the Kamchatka branch of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) “APK Natsryba” investigated 630 lots of granular and roe caviar of pink salmon, chum salmon, sockeye salmon and Chinook salmon.
"Laboratory specialists confirmed 233 positive results. The products tested contained microbiological discrepancies, including the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, coliform bacteria, yeast, and mold," — the agency's laboratory reported. Most of the deviations indicate manufacturing irregularities.
Experts tested unpackaged caviar, so any defective items will be discarded and will not reach shelves. The agency did not disclose the exact number of affected batches, but advised customers not to purchase caviar from unknown sellers.
Red caviar has almost doubled in price in a year.
The discovery of the defective product coincided with a general decline in red caviar production in 2026: a market shortage is not expected, but retail prices have risen sharply. According to estimates from the Fish Union Analytical Center as of September 2, sockeye salmon caviar has risen in price by 93% (to 17,2 rubles per kilogram) over the past year, pink salmon caviar by 83% (to 18,6 rubles), chum salmon by 31% (to 19 rubles), and coho salmon by 13% (to 18,9 rubles).
What's happening with prices in Kamchatka?
Prices have also risen in Kamchatka: fishing and processing of fish has decreased, while the costs of fishing, delivery, equipment, and wages have increased.
According to the Bank of Russia and Rosstat, in September fish products in the region went up By 7,17% for the month and 20,66% for the year. It was the rise in fish prices that had the biggest impact on overall food prices, adding 1,02 percentage points to the monthly price increase.
Prices also increased for sugar (+2% due to the procurement season), vegetables and fruits (+1,96%), dairy products (+1,1%) and bread (+1,08%).
