France: Bird flu decimates ducks – Foie gras more expensive and rarer this winter

Foie gras will become a rare commodity and its price will rise this year after bird flu decimated ducks in producing countries, French producers warned today, urging fans of the delicacy to buy early if they want to taste it at Christmas. their table.

Foie gras production is expected to be down by 30-35% compared to last year, while its price will rise by around 20%, due to the increase in energy and animal feed prices. “Sharing it will be key because we will have much less foie gras and we strongly recommend that you get it in time,” said CIFOG producer federation president Eric Dimas.

France, like its smaller competitors in the foie gras market, Hungary and Bulgaria, has been hit hard by the highly contagious bird flu this year, with 3.8 million ducks lost. In total, about 20 million poultry were culled due to the outbreak, the worst the country has ever experienced, according to an Agriculture Ministry official. 70% of the chicks were also culled, preventing farmers from restoring production to previous levels.

As for exports – since French foie gras is mainly sold to restaurants – producers said they would try to supply everyone, even if in smaller quantities.

There is strong concern that the virus has become endemic in Europe, since it did not disappear in the summer, as it usually does. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that 27 outbreaks have been detected in poultry farms since August 1. Minister Mark Fesno even said there were concerns about the 2022-23 season as the virus appeared to be spreading.

Foie gras is made from the liver of a grain-fed goose or duck, often force-fed. It is sold whole or in pate and is considered a delicacy in both Western and Asian cuisine. The practice of force-feeding is often criticized as cruelty by animal rights activists.

RES-EMP

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