French Snail Farm Announces Robbery of €90K Worth of Snails
Thieves have stolen snails worth €90,000 from a farm in northern France that supplies gourmet eateries.
L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, close to Reims, reported that its entire inventory of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “major setback” just ahead of the holiday season.
The intruders broke into the farm during the night leading to Monday, slicing through a border fence before accessing farm buildings.
Law enforcement received a complaint days after the incident, and officers are currently pursuing leads.
In the meantime, the farm is striving to replenish its supplies to satisfy holiday orders from clients.
Snails: A French Gourmet Treat
Edible snails are considered a culinary specialty in France, usually cooked in butter with garlic or wine before being extracted from their shell.
Farmers in France typically experience a surge in demand around December, as consumers indulge with the specialty for Christmas Eve and New Year's Day festivities.
“This is definitely not the kind of announcement we thought we’d write as the festive season approach,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus stated in a statement announcing the incident.
They went on to describe the event as “surprising, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the whole staff,” adding, “We are trying our best to replenish our supplies to meet the needs of our clients for the holidays.”
Impact of the Robbery
Photos captured after the theft reveal racks and refrigerators almost cleared out of snail products.
“An entire section of prepared goods was stolen from the store, and unprocessed stock from my production area,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne commented.
“It was my holiday season inventory… We had precisely enough to get through the festive season without any worries.”
This producer has in the past provided restaurants such as Michelin-starred restaurants in the region, as well as delicatessens and individual customers.
Currently, the business is working hard to recovering and ensuring that holiday orders can still be fulfilled despite the significant setback.
