Foie gras is a very popular Christmas delicacy in France, but there is a shortage this year. Because the stocks of geese and ducks have shrunk because of bird flu and the Ukraine war has driven up the cost of fattening the birds, a 30 to 40 percent lower supply is expected, the newspaper “Le Parisien” reported at Reference to the foie gras association.
In addition, consumers would have to expect significantly higher prices. Compared to the first half of 2020, the production costs for a foie gras goose have increased by 28 percent. The main reasons for this are higher costs for the grain fed and for energy, but transport and packaging also cost more than before. The goose liver association had already warned of a drop in production in the spring. Because of the outbreak of bird flu in various parts of the country, the breeding of geese and ducks, which are later fattened for foie gras, came to a standstill there.
In France, foie gras is traditionally part of most meals at Christmas and the turn of the year. For the delicacy, however, ducks and geese are fattened using a method that has gained a reputation for being cruel. The feed is pumped directly down the birds’ throats with a metal tube. In France, too, there are more and more protests against this.
The producers’ association is concerned about consumer behavior. Around 40 percent of households continue to buy foie gras. According to the association, 11,674 tons of foie gras were produced in France in 2021 after 14,593 tons in 2020 and 16,764 tons the year before.
Source: Nachrichten
