FRANCE: The luxury food foie gras or duck liver is still on the menu over Christmas for French consumers despite the economic crisis

Record ID: 511793

  • Title: FRANCE: The luxury food foie gras or duck liver is still on the menu over Christmas for French consumers despite the economic crisis
  • Date: 21st December 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF DUCK CARCASSES ON DISPLAY POSTER WITH A DUCK ANNOUNCING A GASTRONOMY FAIR IN SAMATAN
  • Embargoed: 5th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France, France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Economy
  • Reuters ID: LVA5YR7LAZ5GHR33B3MKTI206ECN
  • Story Text: French Christmas will not go without its lot of foie gras on the tables, despite the crisis hitting euro zone countries.
    Foie gras, or duck liver, is one of the most popular food items on the table over Christmas in France. But with prices ranging between 50 and 130 euros a kilo, consumers turn to other ways of buying it.
    In the South West of France, a market specialised in raw foie gras saw a crowd rushing to it stands as it opened its doors on Monday (December 19).
    Clients of this market can buy raw uncooked foie gras that they can take home and cook themselves, a cheaper alternative to keep foie gras on the table for end of the year festivities.
    "One reason we come here is the pleasure of cooking foie gras at home and also with the economic crisis we prefer buying directly from the farmers here," said a customer after buying some foie gras at the market.
    France is the world's biggest foie gras producer and most of the farmers are based in the south west of the country. The industry employs around 100,000 people in France.
    But foie gras in France is not only about food, it's a luxury with anti-depressive effects, Didier Villate, an inspector at the foie gras market told Reuters Television.
    "Its a niche market, its a very special market, touching both to food and luxury food. And when everything is going badly the French want to eat well to feel better, psychologically," he said.
    Posh shops in the city of Toulouse didn't see a fall in their sales either.
    Clients still come there to furnish their Christmas tables or to offer to their beloved ones Christmas hampers with foie gras and other luxury food.
    One of the most well known chefs in the region, two star Michelin rated restaurant owner Michel Sarran explained the success of foie gras by the multiple possibilities it offers.
    "You can eat foie gras in a traditional way, with grilled bread, it's as simple as that. But you can also eat it heated or as a terrine pate, there are so many things you can do with it. Foie gras is a magnificent playground to have fun with," he said.
    Despite a persisting crisis in Europe, a threat by rating agencies to downgrade France's triple A and tight austerity measures, French are ready to tighten their belts all year long to keep the French way of life
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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