The owners of L'Escargot Des Grands Crus farm in Bouzy, near Reims, northeastern France, filed a report last weekend. They stated that thieves cut through the fence and broke into the facility on the night of 24/11, making off with the farm's entire stock of fresh and frozen snails.

"All processed products and raw materials in the warehouse were stolen", Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne, the farm manager, shared. "This was our stock for the year-end. We had stocked enough for the holiday season to avoid any worries, but now..."

Snail emblem at L'Escargot Des Grands Crus farm. Photo: Facebook/L'Escargot Des Grands Crus.

Approximately 450 kg of snails, valued at 90,000 EUR (104,000 USD), were stolen. French police are currently searching for the thieves.

In a social media post announcing the theft, L'Escargot Des Grands Crus described the incident as "a shock and a blow to the farm". The post added that they are working to replenish their stock to meet customer demand during the holiday season.

Other snail farmers have offered assistance to Dauvergne. "We are ready to help so he can salvage the situation", Alexandre Maire, another snail farmer in Vosges, expressed.

L'Escargot Des Grands Crus farm raises approximately 350,000 snails each year. It supplies products to various restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Les Crayeres in Reims, as well as high-end food stores and individual customers.

Snails, also known as escargot, are a French delicacy often prepared in garlic butter or wine. Sales of escargot in France typically surge in december, as people are willing to spend on this dish for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Hong Hanh (According to BBC/CNN)