Economic efficiency of caviar production from brood Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869) grown in industrial conditions

Purpose. To determine the main indicators of economic efficiency for artificially obtaining Siberian sturgeon ovulated eggs to the needs of commercial caviar production using brood stocks grown in floating cages in a reservoir with a natural temperature regime of the forest-steppe of Ukraine. Methodology. Calculations were made according to generally accepted methods in economics. For the economic analysis, the actual indicators of economic activity from the SRP “Osetr” LLC enterprise (Kyiv region) in the period 2020-2021 were used. The study was carried out for a fish farm with a capacity of 500 kg of Siberian sturgeon ovulated eggs in fish farm conditions and with the preservation of life of newly matured brood fish in 8+, 9+ and 10+ age groups. The structure of the analysed production costs with an assessment of the company’s profitability indicators provides for the implementation of processes with a full cycle for the cultivation and exploitation of Siberian sturgeon brood stocks with the combined use of modern methods in industrial aquaculture. Findings. In the cost structure of the analysed caviar production, the largest share is wages (30.21%) and costs for the purchase of feeds for different age groups of sturgeon (28.24%). It has been found that for the production of 500 kg of Siberian sturgeon ovulated eggs of brood stock from floating cages in reservoirs with a natural temperature regime and artificial production of mature eggs in recirculation aquaculture systems, the farm’s payback period is at least 10 years. The level of profitability for these type enterprises can exceed 26%. Ways to increase the profitability of these type fish farms with a reduction in the payback period of caviar production have been determined. Originality. For the first time, indicators of the economic efficiency in commercial sturgeon farming with the use of Siberian sturgeon breeding stocks and industrial technologies, which are not common for aquaculture in Ukraine, have been analysed. Practical Value. The study results can be used in the process of industrial aquaculture development and during the evaluation of the results from production activities in commercial caviar farming.