Zodiako Brings Tradition to the Table with GI-Certified Kakhuri Shashkhi

Zodiako Ltd has started producing the first Kakhuri Shashkhi (Kakhetian bacon) made according to newly registered Geographical Indication standards aimed at protecting and promoting Kakhuri Sashkhi, a salted, cured and smoked local delicacy made from local forest-reared pigs of historical, cultural and environmental significance for the region.

Zodiako has three popular restaurants  in Tbilisi, Telavi and Signaghi, and four meat shops in Telavi and Tbilisi. Shashkhi sales have already begun in the meat shops and will soon be available in Zodiako restaurants. Demand is soaring, with initial sales at the shops exceeding expectations. Dato Dzneladze, owner of Zodiako, is happy with the taste of the new product, saying, ‘Feeding in the forest enriches the flavor, and I’m confident it will boost future sales.’

The programme supported Zodiako in completing its Shashkhi production facility to ensure efficient and high-quality production. With this new facility, Zodiako can now produce Kakhuri Shashkhi year-round using forest-reared pigs sourced from local farmers and also offer compliant smoking services to local farmers.

The ALCP2, together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and local bacon producers facilitated the creation of the  now registered  Geographical Indication (GI) standard for Kakhuri Shashkhi at Sakpatenti, the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia,

The ALCP2 implemented by Mercy Corps Georgia, is funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) in cooperation with the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and Sweden.