Telangana chicken shops to begin indefinite strike from Apr 1

Retail chicken shops across Telangana, including nearly 50,000 in Hyderabad, have announced an indefinite strike starting April 1. Shop owners allege that monopolistic practices by large poultry integrators have reduced their profit margins drastically.

Hyderabad: Retail chicken shops across Telangana are set to launch an indefinite shutdown starting Wednesday, April 1, demanding better margins from major poultry integrators.

With nearly 50,000 small chicken shops in the twin cities alone, traders claim their livelihoods are under threat due to the monopolistic practices of large integrator companies.

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“Our profits are declining. For every kilogram, we would make a profit of Rs. 25 to Rs. 30 previously. Now the margin has come down from Rs.5 to Rs.10 per kilogram,” says Ghalib Saif, a retail chicken shop owner at Mahboob Chowk market.

The retail chicken shop owners point out that their operational costs, including rents, transport and labour wages, have increased over a period of time.

“With meagre profits, it is difficult to run the business. We too have families to take care of and with the limited earnings, we are facing financial hardship,” said K Shivalal, a chicken centre owner at Ziaguda.

The chicken shop owners have put up boards outside their shops announcing the indefinite strike from April 1 (Wednesday).

Satish Goud, president, Telangana State Chicken Shop Owners Association, said that the poultry integrators are determining the price for the retail market and keeping the profit margin very thin. As a result, earnings have come down and chicken centre owners are facing problems.

“In retail markets, the competition is tough. If one shop raises prices, customers go elsewhere. We are left with no option but to go on indefinite bandh,” he said.