Sturia Caviar IGP Aquitaine
Sturia Celebrates the Award of PGI Status for Aquitaine Caviar with a new product!
February 2025 - Aquitaine Caviar has been officially awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI/IGP) status by the European Union, marking a historic milestone for French caviar production. This prestigious designation recognises Aquitaine Caviar as a product of exceptional origin, artisanal craftsmanship, and premium quality, the only caviar registered by France's National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).
What Makes IGP Aquitaine Caviar Unique?
The PGI recognition results from over a decade of dedication by the Aquitaine Caviar Association, championing transparency, sustainable sturgeon farming, and the preservation of traditional French caviar-making expertise. Only one sturgeon species is authorised under the IGP: Acipenser baerii, ensuring consistency, traceability, and the highest quality standards.
Key standards of IGP Aquitaine Caviar include:
- Single authorized species: Acipenser baerii sturgeon only
- Complete traceability: From farm to table
- Geographical authenticity: 100% produced in the Adour-Garonne basin
- Traditional methods: Time-honored preparation techniques
“This recognition rewards our long-standing commitment to transparency, respect for nature and people, and the transmission of authentic know-how,” says Laurent Dulau, President of the Aquitaine Caviar Association and CEO of the Kaviar Group. “IGP Aquitaine Caviar reflects our shared values and our dedication to producing an exceptional, 100% French caviar.”
Understanding PGI Status for Premium Caviar
IGP status protects the name “Aquitaine Caviar” from imitation while guaranteeing consumers an authentic, traceable product produced under strict standards. Thanks to its refined flavour profile and consistency, Aquitaine Caviar has become a benchmark in fine dining, featured on some of the world’s most prestigious tables.
The designation reinforces Aquitaine Caviar’s position within the global luxury food market, offering a product that is transparent, responsibly produced, and unmistakably tied to its place of origin.
A heritage rooted in Aquitaine
French caviar production in Aquitaine dates to the early 20th century, when Russian specialists introduced traditional sturgeon preparation techniques to local fishermen. Following the international ban on wild caviar fishing in the early 2000s, all Aquitaine Caviar is now responsibly farmed, ensuring long-term sturgeon population protection.
Timeline of Aquitaine Caviar:
- 1990s: First sturgeon farms established in Aquitaine
- 1996: Aquitaine Caviar first commercialized
- 2025: Awarded PGI/IGP status by the European Union
Today, every production stage, from sustainable sturgeon farming to artisanal processing, occurs within the Adour-Garonne basin, a unique terroir that contributes to the caviar's distinctive flavor and luxurious texture.
About Sturia: France's Premier Caviar Producer
Sturia is a leading French caviar producer, selector, and maturer, serving as the flagship "premiers crus" brand of Sturgeon, France's pioneering sturgeon farming company. Based in Aquitaine, Sturia operates six state-of-the-art aquaculture farms, including a specialized hatchery.
Sturia produces a curated collection of premium caviars using traditional French methods, earning recognition for:
- Uncompromising quality standards
- Strong environmental and sustainability values
- Partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs globally
- Presence in luxury hospitality worldwide
Discover authentic French IGP caviar from Sturia at La Fromagerie - where tradition meets sustainable luxury.