It cannot be repeated enough, but Madagascar has unlimited potential for economic development!
Agriculture, livestock, mining, labor, tourism, etc… There is no shortage of promising markets!
The majority of people and leaders seem to be living on a different planet, but lucid people are doing the right thing!
The country will never cease to marvel at its wealth and the opportunities it offers. After Malagasy oil, today Malagasy caviar!
Yes, the future is bright for Madagascar and its caviar production. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in this emerging market!
Caviar is also produced here!
Acipenser: The first sturgeon farm in the Indian Ocean
A crazy project… but very reasonable!
Of course, there are no sturgeon species in Madagascar, as the Acipenser genus is native to Europe, Asia, and North America.
However, it is possible to reproduce the living conditions of these freshwater fish in Malagasy waters.
In fact, everything is perfectly suited to assess the results that Acipenser has achieved so far.
However, it requires a significant financial investment and a lot of patience, as sturgeons only reproduce every 5 years. Reproducing for years, some species can live up to 15 years.
The three partners behind this venture are the managers of a ready-to-wear company for major French brands.
Recognizing the potential in Madagascar, they decided to embark on this adventure in 2009 and successfully harvested the first larvae from the initial eggs on April 1, 2013.
Depending on the species, the fish can measure between 1.5 and 6 meters in length, weighing from 20 kg up to a ton (for the largest belugas).
Excellent Breeding Conditions
The breeding site is located on a 6-hectare property in the municipality of Ambatolaona, approximately an hour and a half from. Antananarivo is located near the Mantasoa Lake.
The production site of Acipenser is partially implanted on this lake. It is a huge 
water reservoir of about 2,000 ha, which was created during the colonial era to regulate the flow of the Ikopa River.
These waters are known to be rich in fish and sturgeon farming is not so utopian.
Acipenser has a CITES permit for production according to international rules.
The fertilized eggs are imported from Europe and hatched on the farm’s premises. Then the feed produced in Acipenser is used.
The game also includes the breeding, pre-breeding, and rearing unit.
The large tanks where the sturgeons develop are made of cut rubble to make the site as authentic and natural as possible.
The operation also has a processing workshop approved to European standards for the production of caviar from Madagascar: ROVA.
A fish farm that meets the requirements of the international market
The fish farm consists of a “land site” and a “cage site” directly on the 1,300 m high lake.
The quality of the water is exceptionally good, which favors the production of exceptional caviar.
All agricultural conditions are optimal, comparable to European and American farms.
Moreover, the region is simply exceptional, with its valleys of red earth, rice fields, eucalyptus and pine trees…
A generous nature!
Feeding the Sturgeons
The sturgeon feed from Acipenser is made on site from 80% locally sourced ingredients without GMOs, land animal meal, or blood meal.
The feed is therefore produced on the farm itself, meticulously analyzed and checked by experts.
The goal is to achieve perfect and complete control over the activity, ensuring high quality caviar.
The Farm’s Values
Acipenser will soon receive ISO 14 001, 26 000, and 22 000 certifications.
The company’s commitment is not only to quality, but also to society and the environment.
The staff consists of a team of 90 Malagasy and French employees, including executives from the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of Toliara.
The fish farming technicians come from surrounding villages and are trained internally. Acipenser’s ultimate goal is to become the third largest caviar producer in the world.
Caviar in Madagascar: The Future 3rd Largest Production in the World
Produced Sturgeon Species
Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baeri)
This brown-gray or gray-black fish with a long tail is highly valued for its roe, which is processed into caviar.
Nase is a safe bet, producing caviar grains with an average diameter of 2.4 mm. The color ranges from brown to black or anthracite gray. Maximum size: 2 m.
Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)
The Russian Sturgeon, known as Diamond Sturgeon, has a green-gray or blue-black body with white star-shaped ridges. The caviar, also called Osetra or Ossetra caviar, has a dark, amber color tending towards gold and is at least 2.8 mm in size.
Huso Huso (Beluga)
The Beluga Sturgeon (huso huso) native to the Caspian and Black Seas is the largest and fattest of all sturgeons. 
The Beluga sturgeon, also known as the European Beluga or Great Sturgeon, produces large pearl gray caviar eggs (3.2 to 3.5 mm) with a buttery taste that lingers in the mouth. However, its maturation process is very slow due to its longevity, taking 18 years to reach maturity and living over 100 years.
Huso huso, commonly known as Beluga, Great Sturgeon, or European Beluga, is a species of sturgeon from the family Acipenseridae. It is the largest freshwater fish, reaching sizes of up to 7.2 m and weighing 1,571 kg.
Due to its valuable eggs, Beluga caviar, the Beluga sturgeon is a highly sought-after fish. However, overfishing, poaching, and their late maturity (18 years) make them endangered species.
Acipenser persicus is a highly demanding species that is difficult to breed, but produces a particularly high-quality caviar with a unique taste. Only a few producers are able to raise this sturgeon, which has a body length of 1.5 to 2 m and weighs between 80 and 150 kg.
Acipenser Nudiventris, native to the Danube, is an innovative species in caviar production, reflecting Acipenser’s desire to stand out through the originality of its products. Its long lifespan has led to it being classified as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The fish has a gray-blue body.
