French Snail Farm Announces Robbery of €90K Value of Snails
Burglars have stolen snails worth ninety thousand euros from a producer in the north of France that provides for high-end eateries.
The snail farm in Bouzy, near Reims, stated that its complete stock of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “major setback” just ahead of the holiday season.
The thieves gained entry to the property during the night leading to Monday, slicing through a perimeter fence before accessing farm buildings.
Law enforcement received a complaint days after the incident, and officers are now on the trail.
Meanwhile, the business is striving to replenish its supplies to meet holiday demand from clients.
Escargot: A French Gourmet Treat
Escargot are regarded as a French delicacy, typically cooked in garlic butter or white wine before being removed from their shell.
Farmers in France often see a surge in demand during the month of December, as consumers indulge with the dish for Christmas and New Year's Day celebrations.
“This is certainly not the type of post we expected we’d share as the holidays approach,” the farm stated in a statement announcing the theft.
They went on to describe the event as “surprising, an incomprehension, and a serious setback to the whole team,” adding, “We are trying our best to replenish our supplies to satisfy our customers for the festive period.”
Impact of the Theft
Images captured after the theft reveal shelves and freezers nearly completely emptied of snail products.
“A whole section of finished products was stolen from the store, and raw material inventory from my production area,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne commented.
“This represented my holiday season inventory… We had precisely enough to get through the holidays without any concerns.”
The farm has in the past provided restaurants including Michelin-starred restaurants in Reims, as well as specialty food shops and private clients.
At present, the business is working hard to bouncing back and making sure that end-of-year orders can still be fulfilled in spite of the major loss.
