A Lack of Foie Gras in 2022 Could Reoccur in 2023 in France Due to Avian Influenza

Foie gras becomes hard to find in French stores around the holidays, with up to 40% of production predicted to be lost as the industry has been impacted by avian flu. Producers hope for a vaccine after 20M ducks and other livestock were culled as a preventative measure. The Pays de la Loire, where three-quarters of the ducklings are born, is struggling to deliver them to producers. Since June, producers have been able to purchase only one-quarter of the usual volume of ducklings. Therefore, retail prices of foie gras increased significantly due to decreased duck supply causing an increase in input costs. Some producers claim they won't be able to recover from an influenza crisis if it occurs again in 2023 with the same intensity. The situation could be worse at the end of 2023 than it is now.