Because of avian flu, in Alsace it will be difficult to find foie gras at Christmas

“This crisis comes following 2 years of sales weighed down by le Covid-19 and this, while the prices of corn, with which we feed our animals, are exploding”, laments Nicolas Lechner, producer of foie gras in Pfettisheim. The one who is also the president of the Gänzeliesel association (10 foie gras producers in Bas-Rhin) did not receive the order of ducklings which should have been fulfilled in mid-June.

“It is the consequence of the bird flu epidemic which affects hatcheries in Vendée. 90% of the animals reared by our main supplier had to be slaughtered,” laments Nicolas Lechner. Result: 2,500 ducklings are missing for “La Ferme Lichner” in Pfettisheim and 40,000 in total for the entire foie gras sector in the Bas-Rhin.

70% of annual turnover

“Two other deliveries are planned for July and August, but I already know that I will not receive these beasts. The breeders of Vendée favor orders for the big producers of foie gras in the South West” regrets Nicolas Lechner. For lack of sufficient animals, the production of foie gras will therefore end up at a standstill in the Bas-Rhin and consequently raw foie gras from Alsace will not be present on the tables for the end of the year celebrations.

“Christmas and New Year sales represent 70% of our annual turnover. We are slowly dying” the representative of the foie gras producers is alarmed. Because it is indeed a whole industry that is threatened with extinction. “If there is no more new epidemic by then, it will be necessary to wait until autumn 2023 to return to a normal level of duckling deliveries. In the meantime, 110 permanent jobs and 40 temporary positions are directly threatened,” warns Nicolas Lechner.