- U.S. Justice Department and 17 states settled with three major egg producers (Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, Hickman’s Egg Ranch) over allegations of illegal collusion to raise egg prices from June 2022 to March 2025.
- Companies accused of coordinating bids to Urner Barry Publications to artificially inflate price quotations, leading to higher consumer costs; no admission of wrongdoing in settlements.
- Settlements require $3.3 million in payments and donation of 53 million eggs to food banks, plus antitrust compliance programs and bans on price communications with competitors, pending court approval.
- Egg prices hit record highs in March 2025 due to bird flu; Justice Department notes prices dropped after investigation began, with consumer prices falling below $2.20 per dozen by May 2026.