Dieckmann & Hansen German Caviar

From the world’s oldest caviar producers comes one of the most exceptional sustainable Osetras available today. For over 150 years, Dieckmann & Hansen has perfected the art of curing sturgeon roe, pioneered modern aquaculture while preserved traditions that define true excellence.

On September 10th, 1869, the barrel maker Johannes Dieckmann of Flensburg, together with his son-in-law Johannes C.F. Hansen founded the company “DIECKMANN & HANSEN” as a wholesale for salting fish. They worked with all sorts of fish, particularly with sturgeon caught in the river Elbe and its tributaries, becoming experts in wild sturgeon catching, harvesting, and caviar-making.

The company faced challenges from declining sturgeon stocks and political changes but managed to thrive through partnerships and international trade. Facilities were bombed and destroyed during World War II but the business was rebuilt in 1954. After the Iranian revolution in 1979, illegal caviar trade grew. Concerns arose about sturgeon stocks post-Soviet Union breakup due to lack of control, leading to issues like overfishing and smuggling. DIECKMANN & HANSEN was the first international caviar importer to plead the course of the protection of sturgeon and to look for a close cooperation with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). Following this was the listing of sturgeon onto the list of the Washington Convention (CITES) and finally sturgeon catch from the wild was completely banned.

After building up sturgeon stocks in aquaculture DIECKMANN & HANSEN took up producing caviar from their own fish and continues its tradition today as the oldest caviar producer and trader in the world with a history of 150 years.