Christmas is just around the corner and many families in France are no doubt planning their “réveillon de Noël” (or Christmas dinner). 

 

In France, like in many other countries, the Christmas feast is an all-out event, with families often sparing no expenses on the meal, which typically includes treats like smoked salmon, foie gras, truffles, and giant scallops. 

 

The bad news is that all the above-mentioned foods will see price hikes this year. 

 

 

For starters (perhaps literally…), the per-kilo cost of foie gras is expected to be about €10 higher than it was last Christmas, meaning around €2 more if you buy 200 grams. 

 

While France was only this week placed on high alert due to a recent outbreak of bird flu, the increase in price actually reflects another outbreak last year. 

 

(Olivier Duquesnes/Flickr)

 

Bad news also for truffle fans. The delicacy will see a 38 percent price hike per kilo due to the summer droughts that severely reduced the hauls. 

 

The shortage was unprecedented in some parts of the country, with truffle hotspots in Dordogne going up to 14 weeks without rain. 

 

The bad news for Christmas food shoppers doesn't stop there. 

 

Salmon is expected to be a whopping 37 percent higher in price due to a drop in production and the French Christmas favourite of coquille Saint-Jacques (king scallops) will be around 8 percent pricier following a harmful algae infestation at one of the largest production farms. 

 

Other French traditional Christmas foods like oysters and snails aren't expected to get any pricier, nor are Christmas turkeys despite the bird flu scares. 

 

Keen to know more about Christmas food in France? Click here for dishes that make up a French Christmas feast. Bon appétit.