here is much at stake for Australia’s $6 billion chicken-meat industry. A national contract for Coles supermarkets – responsible for more than 10 per cent of chicken sales – is out to tender.

Pricing in short-term wholesale markets has been hit as the two major players, family-owned Baiada Poultry and TPG-backed Inghams Enterprises, battle to expand their combined 73 per cent market share.