A Snail Farm Announces Robbery of €90K Worth of Snails
Thieves made off with escargot worth ninety thousand euros from a producer in northern France that supplies high-end eateries.
The snail farm in the Bouzy area, close to Reims, reported that its entire inventory of fresh and frozen snails was stolen—a “real blow” just before the festive period.
The thieves gained entry to the property during the night leading to Monday, cutting a perimeter fence before entering storage facilities.
Police received a complaint later in the week, and investigators are currently pursuing leads.
Meanwhile, the business is working to replenish its supplies to meet holiday orders from clients.
Snails: A Traditional French Gourmet Treat
Edible snails are considered a French delicacy, usually cooked in garlic butter or white wine before being extracted from their shells.
Producers in France typically experience a surge in sales during the month of December, as consumers treat themselves with the specialty for Christmas Eve and New Year's Day festivities.
“This is definitely not the kind of post we thought we’d write as the festive season approach,” the farm stated in a statement regarding the theft.
They went on to describe the robbery as “a shock, bewildering, and a serious setback to the entire staff,” noting, “We are doing everything possible to restock our supplies to satisfy our customers for the festive period.”
Impact of the Theft
Images taken after the theft reveal racks and refrigerators almost cleared out of escargot items.
“An entire section of prepared goods was stolen from the warehouse, and unprocessed inventory from my laboratory,” the farm manager explained.
“It was my end-of-year stock… We had just the right amount to manage the holidays without any worries.”
This producer has previously supplied restaurants including Michelin-starred restaurants in the region, as well as specialty food shops and private clients.
At present, the business is focused on bouncing back and ensuring that end-of-year demand can still be fulfilled despite the major setback.