Egg producers will pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs to settle price-fixing claims. The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers to resolve allegations that the companies illegally colluded for years to raise prices.
Settlement Details
The states and federal government accused Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman’s Egg Ranch of a behind-the-scenes arrangement to artificially inflate the daily price quotations for eggs between June 2022 and March 2025. The companies will collectively pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofits.
The Justice Department and the states also outlined actions the companies will need to take, including adopting antitrust compliance programs and banning communicating with competitors on pricing and bidding strategies.
Industry Impact
Average U.S. egg prices soared to a record high of about $6.23 per dozen in March 2025, amid a bird flu epidemic that forced farmers to slaughter millions of egg-laying chickens. Egg producers blamed the price spike on the outbreak, but critics accused big companies of taking advantage of their market dominance.
Some advocacy groups say the proposed settlements aren’t enough, arguing that consumers paid record prices while dominant egg producers reported extraordinary profits.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
