A Snail Farm Announces Theft of €90,000 Worth of Escargot

Thieves made off with escargot worth ninety thousand euros from a producer in northern France that supplies gourmet eateries.

The snail farm in Bouzy, close to Reims, stated that its entire stock of fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “real blow” just before the holiday season.

The thieves broke into the farm during the night leading to Monday, cutting a perimeter fence before entering farm buildings.

Police were notified later in the week, and officers are now on the trail.

Meanwhile, the farm is striving to restock to satisfy holiday demand from clients.

Escargot: A French Delicacy

Escargot are regarded as a French delicacy, usually cooked in garlic butter or wine before being extracted from their shell.

Producers in France often see a increase in demand during December, as consumers treat themselves with the dish for Christmas Eve and New Year’s festivities.

“This is certainly not the type of post we thought we’d share as the festive season near,” the farm stated in a statement announcing the theft.

They went on to characterize the robbery as “a shock, bewildering, and a serious setback to the whole staff,” adding, “We are doing everything possible to replenish our inventory to meet the needs of our clients for the holidays.”

Impact of the Theft

Photos captured after the burglary reveal shelves and freezers almost completely emptied of snail products.

“An entire section of finished products was stolen from the store, and unprocessed inventory from my production area,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne explained.

“This represented my holiday season inventory… We had just the right amount to get through the festive season without any concerns.”

This producer has in the past provided establishments such as award-winning restaurants in the region, as well as delicatessens and private clients.

At present, the farm is working hard to recovering and ensuring that holiday orders can still be fulfilled in spite of the significant loss.