French Farm Reports Theft of €90,000 Value of Escargot
Burglars made off with snails worth €90,000 from a producer in the north of France that provides for gourmet eateries.
The snail farm in the Bouzy area, close to the city of Reims, stated that its complete stock of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “real blow” just before the festive period.
The thieves gained entry to the property during the night leading to Monday, slicing through a perimeter fence before accessing storage facilities.
Law enforcement were notified later in the week, and investigators are currently pursuing leads.
Meanwhile, the business is working to replenish its supplies to satisfy holiday orders from customers.
Snails: A Traditional French Delicacy
Edible snails are regarded as a culinary specialty in France, usually cooked in butter with garlic or white wine before being extracted from their shells.
Farmers in France typically experience a surge in demand during the month of December, as people indulge with the specialty for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
“This is definitely not the kind of post we thought we’d share as the holidays approach,” the farm wrote in a message announcing the incident.
They went on to characterize the robbery as “surprising, an incomprehension, and a serious setback to the whole staff,” noting, “We are doing everything possible to restock our supplies to satisfy our customers for the festive period.”
Impact of the Robbery
Images taken following the burglary reveal racks and freezers almost cleared out of snail products.
“An entire section of finished products was taken from the store, and raw material inventory from my production area,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne commented.
“This represented my end-of-year stock… We had precisely enough to manage the holidays without any worries.”
This producer has previously supplied restaurants including Michelin-starred restaurants in the region, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
Currently, the farm is focused on bouncing back and making sure that end-of-year orders can still be met despite the significant setback.
