French Snail Farm Reports Robbery of €90,000 Value of Snails
Burglars have stolen snails valued at ninety thousand euros from a farm in northern France that provides for high-end eateries.
L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, close to Reims, stated that its entire inventory of both fresh and frozen snails was taken—a “real blow” just before the holiday season.
The thieves gained entry to the farm overnight into Monday, cutting a perimeter fence before entering farm buildings.
Police were notified later in the week, and investigators are currently pursuing leads.
Meanwhile, the business is striving to replenish its supplies to satisfy holiday demand from customers.
Snails: A Traditional French Delicacy
Edible snails are considered a culinary specialty in France, usually prepared in butter with garlic or wine before being extracted from their shell.
Producers in France often see a surge in sales during December, as people treat themselves with the dish for Christmas and New Year's Day celebrations.
“This is certainly not the type of announcement we thought we’d share as the festive season approach,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus stated in a message regarding the theft.
They went on to characterize 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 satisfy our clients for the holidays.”
Impact of the Robbery
Images taken after the burglary show shelves and refrigerators almost completely emptied of escargot items.
“A whole section of prepared goods was taken from the warehouse, and unprocessed inventory from my laboratory,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne commented.
“This represented my end-of-year stock… We had precisely enough to get through the festive season without any concerns.”
The farm has previously supplied restaurants such as Michelin-starred restaurants in Reims, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
At present, the business is working hard to bouncing back and making sure that end-of-year demand can still be met despite the major setback.
