• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Science
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
Bird flu culls leave French foie gras in short supply for holiday season

Bird flu culls leave French foie gras in short supply for holiday season

December 7, 2022
Prosecutors Scrutinize Handling of Security Footage by Trump Aides in Documents Case

Prosecutors Scrutinize Handling of Security Footage by Trump Aides in Documents Case

May 31, 2023
At the French Open, Djokovic Storms the Court and Into Controversy, Again

At the French Open, Djokovic Storms the Court and Into Controversy, Again

May 31, 2023
Texas Governor Names Interim Attorney General After Paxton Impeachment

Texas Governor Names Interim Attorney General After Paxton Impeachment

May 31, 2023
Al Pacino’s baby mama  Noor Alfallah, 29, ‘just loves old people’—like Mick Jagger, Clint Eastwood

Al Pacino’s baby mama  Noor Alfallah, 29, ‘just loves old people’—like Mick Jagger, Clint Eastwood

May 31, 2023
Bud Light keeps LGBT support flowing with big donation to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Bud Light keeps LGBT support flowing with big donation to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

May 31, 2023
‘Reality’ Review: An Unusual Suspect

‘Reality’ Review: An Unusual Suspect

May 31, 2023
Of Course Zara Tindall Was Dancing to Macklemore on a Yacht

Of Course Zara Tindall Was Dancing to Macklemore on a Yacht

May 31, 2023
FDA Approves Pfizer’s New RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

FDA Approves Pfizer’s New RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

May 31, 2023
The GRE Test Is Cut in Half: Two Hours and Done

The GRE Test Is Cut in Half: Two Hours and Done

May 31, 2023
Trump Was Taped Discussing Sensitive Document He Had Kept After Leaving Office

Trump Was Taped Discussing Sensitive Document He Had Kept After Leaving Office

May 31, 2023
Delta’s “carbon-neutral” claim is greenwashing, lawsuit alleges

Delta’s “carbon-neutral” claim is greenwashing, lawsuit alleges

May 31, 2023
Chinese Graduates Lower Their Ambitions In Moribund Jobs Market

Chinese Graduates Lower Their Ambitions In Moribund Jobs Market

May 31, 2023
DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News World Europe

Bird flu culls leave French foie gras in short supply for holiday season

December 7, 2022
in Europe, Food, News
Bird flu culls leave French foie gras in short supply for holiday season
594
SHARES
1.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

After millions of ducks and geese were culled to halt the epidemic, some farmers say they are having to take an unprecedented step – using females to produce the luxury treat.

The taste is the same, but female livers are much smaller and harder to work with, and the impact on a producer’s bottom line is inescapable.

“It was double or nothing, but either we just sat and waited – which is not in our nature – or we try to offer a product that respects our consumers,” said Benjamin Constant in Samatan, southwest France.

President of the foie gras marketing board for the Gers department, Constant warned that it was only a stop-gap measure, especially for higher-quality fresh foie gras.

Most livers have veins that must be removed, but those of female livers are much bigger and require more effort to extract, which puts off clients seeking the smooth texture of fresh foie gras that is either seared in a pan, or used to make pâté.

“A significant amount cannot be sold fresh, which penalises the producers who sell at public markets,” Constant said.

Jacques Candelon, who has been raising ducks in the rolling plains of nearby Sarrant since 1998, said this is the first year the majority of his 26,000 birds are females, which are usually reserved to produce meat for export.

“80 percent are females – it was either that or nothing,” the 52-year-old told AFP at his farm, dressed head to toe in protective gear to prevent any contamination of his animals.

Bigger stretch

Animal rights activists have long denounced the force-feeding of ducks and geese to make foie gras, calling it an unnecessary cruelty despite producers’ claims of introducing measures to make the process more humane.

France remains the world’s largest producer and consumer, usually raising some 30 million ducks alone each year, even though some French cities have banned it from official functions.

But two brutal bird flu outbreaks in recent years decimated flocks as authorities imposed culls, with just 21 million ducks raised in 2021, a number expected to plunge to 15 million for 2022, according to the CIFOG producers’ association.

More problematic was the impact on breeding farms, which found themselves with only scant numbers of male chicks to offer producers this year.

11:17

Labeyrie, the brand that dominates sales among mass retailers, expects a shortage of 30 to 40 percent this holiday season, by far the most important time of the year for the sector. 

Spiralling energy and feed prices, fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will also make foie gras more of a stretch for family budgets.

“There will be enough for the holidays but in limited quantities,” CIFOG director Marie-Pierre Pe told AFP in September. “We’re hoping that people are going to be reasonable and will share what little there is.”

‘Big effort’

Old habits die hard, however, and at the bustling weekly duck market at Samatan, a foie gras bastion near Toulouse in the heart of Gers, much of the crowd wanted only the pale, plump male livers.

“Females are much, much smaller and after force-feeding, the livers are smaller and less attractive visually,” said Didier Villate, a veterinarian who has overseen the Samatan market for over 40 years.

Next to a tray of glistening male livers, many of the female livers had red blotches with thick dark veins, “which is unfortunately something we find quite often” even though it doesn’t change the taste or texture, Villate said.

“Clients are surprised, so we have to make a big effort to explain to consumers that there is no danger – It’s purely visual, you can buy and eat them just the same,” he said.

But male or female, prices have spiked to between 55 and 60 euros a kilogramme ($26 to $29 a pound), or “15 to 20 euros more than normal,” said Constant, calling 2022 “catastrophic for the sector.”

For Gilberte Bru, who like dozens of others rushed in at the market’s opening whistle to stock up for the holidays, the decision was easy – she picked the male livers.

“Yes, because they are bigger,” she said.

(AFP)

The post Bird flu culls leave French foie gras in short supply for holiday season appeared first on France 24.

Tags: bird fluChristmasEuropeFoodFrancegastronomy
Share238Tweet149Share

Trending Posts

U.S. Sets Limits to Supporting Ukraine in Russia’s War

U.S. Sets Limits to Supporting Ukraine in Russia’s War

May 31, 2023
Pentagon leaders cancel drag show at a Nevada Air Force base

Pentagon leaders cancel drag show at a Nevada Air Force base

May 31, 2023
Alex Murdaugh pleads not guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges

Alex Murdaugh pleads not guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges

May 31, 2023
‘The Swarm’: Australia’s Foxtel Latest To Board Frank Doelger’s Eco Drama Series

‘The Swarm’: Australia’s Foxtel Latest To Board Frank Doelger’s Eco Drama Series

May 31, 2023
Mississippi Is Offering Lessons for America on Education

Mississippi Is Offering Lessons for America on Education

May 31, 2023
Climate Shocks Are Making Parts of America Uninsurable. It Just Got Worse.

Climate Shocks Are Making Parts of America Uninsurable. It Just Got Worse.

May 31, 2023

Copyright © 2023.

Site Navigation

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2023.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT