A Farm Reports Robbery of €90,000 Value of Snails
Thieves have stolen snails worth €90,000 from a producer in the north of France that supplies gourmet eateries.
L'Escargot Des Grands Crus in Bouzy, near the city of Reims, reported that its entire stock of fresh and frozen snails was taken—a “major setback” just ahead of the festive period.
The intruders broke into the farm during the night leading to Monday, slicing through a perimeter fence before accessing farm buildings.
Police received a complaint days after the incident, and officers are currently pursuing leads.
In the meantime, the farm is striving to replenish its supplies to meet holiday orders from customers.
Escargot: A Traditional French Delicacy
Escargot are regarded as a French delicacy, typically prepared in butter with garlic or wine before being removed from their shells.
Producers in France often see a surge in sales around December, as people indulge with the specialty for Christmas Eve and New Year’s festivities.
“This is certainly not the kind of announcement we thought we’d write as the festive season near,” L'Escargot Des Grands Crus stated in a message announcing the incident.
The statement continued to describe the event as “a shock, an incomprehension, and a real blow to the whole staff,” noting, “We are doing everything possible to restock our supplies to meet the needs of our clients for the holidays.”
Impact of the Theft
Photos taken following the burglary reveal racks and freezers nearly cleared out of snail products.
“An entire section of finished products was taken from the warehouse, and unprocessed stock from my production area,” the farm manager commented.
“This represented my holiday season inventory… We had just the right amount to get through the festive season without any worries.”
This producer has previously supplied restaurants such as award-winning venues in the region, as well as delicatessens and private clients.
At present, the business is focused on bouncing back and ensuring that holiday orders can still be fulfilled in spite of the major setback.
