Telangana chicken shops to shut from April 1 over falling margins
HYDERABAD: Retail chicken shops across Telangana will begin an indefinite shutdown from April 1, protesting declining profit margins and pricing practices by poultry integrators.
Traders said nearly 50,000 small chicken shops in the twin cities alone face a livelihood crisis. They alleged that large integrator companies are controlling retail prices, leaving minimal margins for shop owners.
“Our profits are declining. Earlier, we earned ₹25 to ₹30 per kilogram. Now the margin has come down to ₹5 to ₹10 per kilogram,” said Ghalib Saif, a retail chicken shop owner at Mahboob Chowk market.
Shop owners said operational costs, including rent, transport and labour wages, have increased over time, further affecting viability.
“With meagre profits, it is difficult to run the business. We too have families to take care of and with limited earnings, we are facing financial hardship,” said K Shivalal, a chicken centre owner at Ziaguda.
Several shops have put up notices announcing the indefinite bandh from Wednesday.
Satish Goud, president of the Telangana State Chicken Shop Owners Association, said integrators are determining retail prices and reducing margins. “In retail markets, 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.
