Local bon viveurs need not fear a shortage of top-quality caviar - the world's largest exporter of Russian and Iranian fish roe plans to open a cafe specialising in the delicacy.
Petrossian - which has outlets in Paris, New York and Las Vegas, as well as distribution rights worldwide - will open its first Asian branch in Hong Kong in September.
'We have wanted to get into the Chinese market for a very long time. Hong Kong is the reference place to which high-end Chinese look as an example. All our advisers suggested the first shop in Asia should be in Hong Kong because all the wealthy Chinese are here,' company president Armen Petrossian said.
Mr Petrossian shrugged off a UN ban imposed this month on exports of caviar from wild sturgeon, all species of which have been classified as endangered. The move is expected to cause a global shortage and drive up prices.
'The suspension in trade is no problem. We have enough of the product from 2005 to cover the period of this ban,' he said.
Mr Petrossian, who is based in Paris, said a local partner was making preparations for the cafe's opening and had found a suitable location on Hong Kong Island.
