A Farm Reports Theft of €90,000 Value of Escargot
Thieves made off with snails valued at €90,000 from a producer in northern France that provides for high-end restaurants.
L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, close to Reims, reported that its complete inventory of both fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “real blow” just ahead of the festive period.
The intruders broke into the farm overnight into Monday, slicing through a perimeter fence before entering storage facilities.
Police were notified later in the week, and investigators are now on the trail.
In the meantime, the business is striving to restock to meet end-of-year demand from customers.
Snails: A Traditional French Gourmet Treat
Edible snails are considered a French delicacy, typically prepared in garlic butter or white wine before being extracted from their shells.
Producers in France often see a increase in demand around December, as consumers treat themselves with the dish for Christmas Eve and New Year's Day festivities.
“This is definitely not the type of post we expected we’d share as the festive season approach,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus wrote in a message regarding the incident.
They went on to describe the event as “a shock, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the entire team,” noting, “We are doing everything possible to replenish our inventory to satisfy our clients for the holidays.”
Consequences of the Theft
Photos taken after the burglary reveal shelves and refrigerators nearly completely emptied of snail products.
“An entire section of prepared goods was stolen from the warehouse, and unprocessed inventory from my laboratory,” the farm manager commented.
“It was my holiday season inventory… We had just the right amount to get through the festive season without any concerns.”
This producer has previously supplied establishments such as award-winning restaurants in the region, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
Currently, the business is working hard to bouncing back and making sure that holiday orders can still be fulfilled despite the major setback.
