J&K poultry farmers struggle as large companies expand into market

Poultry farmers in Jammu and Kashmir say they are losing market control as larger companies from other states expand their presence in the region. Before 2019, the government imposed an import duty of approximately ₹9 per kilogram on poultry entering J&K, a measure farmers credit with shielding local producers from competition from established suppliers elsewhere.

The reduction in tariffs following 2019 has altered the competitive landscape significantly. Farmers argue that the removal of this protective charge has made it difficult for them to compete against better-resourced competitors from outside the region who can operate at lower margins.

Local producers now face mounting pressure to adapt to market conditions without the earlier trade barriers, raising concerns about the viability of small and medium-scale poultry operations in J&K.