In short: affordable caviar is not automatically bad caviar, as long as you know what you are buying. The cheapest way to taste real sturgeon caviar is a small tin of Baeri: at LeDiamont, CHF 57 for 30 g. Be wary, on the other hand, of very low prices, dyed fish roe and tins without a CITES label.
What is the cheapest caviar?
Among real sturgeon caviars, Baeri (Siberian sturgeon) is the most accessible: the fish matures faster, in about 6 to 8 years, which lowers its cost. Its taste is round, mild and easy, ideal for a first tasting.
| Caviar | 30 g tin | Price per gram (1 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Baeri | CHF 57 | CHF 1.80 |
| Sevruga | CHF 64 | CHF 2.00 |
| Ossetra | CHF 83 | CHF 2.60 |
Prices incl. VAT as of 28 October 2026. All prices from gram to kilo: caviar price guide.
5 ways to pay less without losing quality
- Choose the right species: for a first tasting or canapés, Baeri or Sevruga are more than enough. Keep Beluga for a special occasion.
- Buy the right amount: for a tasting, allow about 30 g per person, less for canapés. See how much caviar per person.
- Take a larger tin for several people: the price per gram drops with the size. A 125 g tin costs less per gram than four 30 g tins.
- Serve caviar with accompaniments: blini, potatoes, scrambled eggs: a few grams per bite are enough. Ideas in what to serve with caviar.
- Store it well: an opened tin should be eaten within about 48 hours. Badly stored caviar is wasted money. See how long does caviar last.
The traps of caviar that is too cheap
- It is not caviar: lumpfish, trout or salmon roe is fish roe, not sturgeon caviar, even when dyed black.
- No CITES label: all legally sold sturgeon caviar carries a code showing species, origin and year. No code, no purchase.
- Pasteurised caviar sold as fresh: it keeps longer but loses finesse.
- Too good to be true: a cheap “Beluga” is almost always another species or mislabelled.
How to check a tin: how to tell if caviar is real. And why caviar costs what it does: why is caviar so expensive.
Our tip for a first time
Order one 30 g tin of Baeri and one of Ossetra, CHF 140 in total. Taste them side by side, first plain, then on a blini: you will know straight away which style you prefer before buying a larger size. Chilled delivery in Switzerland in 1 to 2 working days, with no customs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest caviar in Switzerland?
At LeDiamont, Iranian Baeri: CHF 57 for 30 g, or CHF 1.80 per gram in a 1 kg tin.
Is cheap caviar fake caviar?
Not necessarily. Farmed Baeri is real sturgeon caviar, simply cheaper than Beluga. Check the species and the CITES code on the label.
How much does 100 g of caviar cost?
Depending on the species and size, about CHF 180 to 360 for 100 g at the kilo price, a little more in small tins.