A Snail Farm Reports Robbery of €90,000 Worth of Snails
Burglars have stolen snails worth €90,000 from a farm in the north of France that provides for gourmet restaurants.
L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, close to Reims, stated that its complete stock of both fresh and frozen snails was taken—a “major setback” just before the holiday season.
The intruders gained entry to the farm during the night leading to Monday, slicing through a perimeter fence before entering storage facilities.
Law enforcement were notified days after the incident, and investigators are currently pursuing leads.
Meanwhile, the farm is striving to restock to satisfy end-of-year demand from customers.
Snails: A French Gourmet Treat
Escargot are considered a French delicacy, usually cooked in butter with garlic or wine before being removed from their shell.
Farmers in France typically experience a increase in demand around December, as consumers indulge with the specialty for Christmas Eve and New Year’s celebrations.
“This is certainly not the kind of post we thought we’d share as the festive season approach,” the farm stated in a message announcing the theft.
They continued to characterize the robbery as “a shock, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the whole team,” adding, “We are trying our best to replenish our supplies to satisfy our clients for the holidays.”
Consequences of the Robbery
Photos captured after the burglary show shelves and freezers nearly completely emptied of snail products.
“A whole section of prepared goods was taken from the warehouse, and unprocessed inventory from my production area,” Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne explained.
“It was my end-of-year stock… We had precisely enough to manage the holidays without any concerns.”
This producer has in the past provided establishments including award-winning venues in the region, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
Currently, the business is working hard to bouncing back and making sure that end-of-year orders can still be fulfilled despite the major setback.
