Understanding CITES and Caviar

Understanding CITES and Caviar: Traceability, Transparency, and Trust.

At King’s Fine Food, we are proud to offer the finest farmed caviar from around the world. But alongside the exceptional quality of our products comes a deep commitment to transparency, traceability, and sustainability. That’s where CITES plays a vital role.

What is CITES?

CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Established in 1975, this international agreement between governments is designed to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

For caviar, CITES regulation is crucial. Sturgeon—the fish species responsible for producing caviar—has been heavily overfished in the past. To protect these incredible fish and their habitats, CITES ensures that all legal trade in caviar is strictly controlled and traceable.

Why Does King’s Use CITES?

Every tin of caviar you buy from King’s Fine Food is accompanied by a CITES label, guaranteeing:

• Traceability – You know exactly where the caviar has come from, down to the farm and species.
• Legality – The caviar has been sourced and traded under strict international regulations.
• Sustainability – Only caviar from farmed sturgeon that meets CITES standards enters the market.
• Quality assurance – Alongside CITES requirements, we carry out regular DNA testing to verify authenticity.

We also work closely with Trading Standards and Animal Health to help educate customers on what to look out for when buying caviar. By doing this, we not only safeguard consumers but also help protect sturgeon populations for future generations.

Understanding a King’s Fine Food Caviar Label

Every tin of King’s caviar carries a CITES label on the back. While the codes and numbers may look complex at first glance, they provide essential information:

Eg HUS/C/BE/2023/GB0001/5066

1. Species Code – A short abbreviation that tells you which type of sturgeon the caviar came from (Eg HUS is the Latin name for Huso Huso for Beluga).
2. Source Code – Identifies whether the caviar is farmed (C) or from the wild (W – which is no longer permitted for international trade). All King’s caviar is farmed and CITES compliant.
3. Country of Origin – Indicates where the sturgeon was farmed. (BE meaning Belgium)
4. Year of Harvest – Ensures you know when the caviar was produced.
5. Packing Number (GB0001is the King’s Fine Food identification number)
6. Permit/Registration Number – A unique identifier that ensures the caviar can be tracked through every stage of trade.

Together, these details provide complete transparency and guarantee that the caviar you are enjoying has been ethically and legally sourced.

Why It Matters

When you choose King’s Fine Food, you are not only indulging in some of the world’s most exquisite caviar—you are also supporting a system that protects endangered species and promotes responsible farming.

Our CITES labels are more than just codes on a tin. They are your assurance of authenticity, sustainability, and quality.