Revival of the Foie Gras Industry: Trends, Challenges, and Success Stories

2024-04-03 04:30:01

After several years of crisis, the foie gras industry is regaining strength in the region. The threat of avian flu has lessened, in particular thanks to the vaccine. The farms have filled up, the production of foie gras has resumed and the entire sector is gradually regaining its smile.

Foie gras producers can breathe. As explained by Interprofessional Committee for Foie Gras Palmipeds (CIFOG)the production of duck foie gras ” reached more than 9,800 tonnes in 2023, an increase of 21% compared to 2022. A year where the impact of the pandemic was felt in full force. 32 million poultry have actually been slaughtered since the summer 2021. In 2022, 80% of the breeding ducks in the sector will have disappeared.

On the Victor Hugo market in Toulouse, foie gras is in high demand during this Easter period. • © Laurence Boffet / FTV

In the Toulouse markets, we rub our hands. At the Victor Hugo market, it is the star product of the year’s holidays. But also one of the essentials of the Easter meal.

For Benjamin Papaix, a foie gras producer, this is the second most important time of the year in terms of foie gras sales. And the demand is there, as explained by Benjamin Papaix, producer of foie gras who has his stall dedicated to this flagship product of the South-West. “I’m not really surprised. For two years now, part of the population has been traumatized by all the avian episodes. And we haven’t necessarily had foie gras when they were hoping for it.”

Consumer feedback

Customers make no secret of it, there is once once more a real appetite for foie gras. “Every time we go down to Toulouyse, we go through this market to buy our duck. It’s really our ritual” explains this customer met at the Benjamin Paix stand.

Tristan Cordier, 28, is a breeder in Monclar-de-Quercy, in Tarn-et-Garonne. According to this foie gras producer, customers have changed their purchasing habits. “There is a real renewed interest on the part of the consumer. Christmas 2022, there was no foie gras on the tables. In addition, the consumer is interested in buying a local product” he explains.

A health situation which has very clearly improved, notably thanks to the vaccination of waterflies. A relief for producers, who still remain concerned regarding the costs of this operation.

Increase in production prices?

Tristan Cordier does not hide his concern. “For the moment, we are happy with the vaccine. Because it works. What happens next? Do we keep the vaccine? In my opinion yes, because it works, it’s important. But what price? For the moment the doses have been purchased in bulk by the State. But if tomorrow we have to buy our own doses, individually, from the veterinarian? Won’t the prices explode? “

Tristan Cordier, producer of foie gras in Tarn-et-Garonne. • © Laurence Boffet / FTV

Production costs which might therefore soar and be passed on to the prices of foie gras, while the sector finally seems to be taking off once more.

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