EU-supported rural festival took place in Tsalka, Georgia.

The ‘Visit Tsalka’ festival was organised as a part of the EU-funded EMBRACE Tsalka project by the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN), Tsalka Local Action Group (LAG), and Georgian Farmers’ Association.

The festival included an exhibition and sale of products from entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses and other EU-funded projects. There was also an educational event for young people and an exhibition and sale of children’s drawings. The proceeds from the sale of the drawings were donated to support the Ukrainian people.

Guests of the festival were also invited to explore the tourist route in Tsalka Canyon and the tourism potential of Tsalka in general.

“This festival is an excellent opportunity to discover Tsalka, support integration among locals, develop tourism potential and establish business partnerships,” said Melano Tkabladze, CENN’s Project Manager.

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Press release

In December 2021, the European Commission updated (Commission Implementing Regulation 2002/34), which allows Georgia to export snails and frog legs to the European Union among other food products. This has taken place within the framework of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between Georgia and the EU.

In several European countries, snails are used in the food industry. There is significant demand for the product, and Georgia is considered an ideal location for production due to weather conditions. Currently, snails are being produced on an estimated 50 farms across Georgia.

Snail production is an attractive market due to the high demand, low input required and profitable returns. Georgian farmers can get started with as little as half a hectare of land and sell one kilogram of produce for more than GEL 10 on the European market.