U.S. Egg Producers Settle DOJ Price-Fixing Probe for $3.3 Million and 53 Million Eggs
Three major U.S. egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—settled allegations by the DOJ and 17 states of colluding from June 2022 to March 2025 to manipulate the Urner Barry egg price index, driving up consumer costs. The companies deny wrongdoing but will donate 53 million eggs to food banks, pay $3.3 million, and adopt antitrust compliance. The case highlights broader inflation concerns, with egg prices peaking at $6.23 per dozen in April 2025.
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Washington Monthly Report on Egg Price Collusion Confirmed by DOJ Settlement
The Washington Monthly's earlier reporting that egg price spikes between 2022-2025 were driven by collusion, not just supply shortages, has been vindicated. The Department of Justice and bipartisan state attorneys general concluded a months-long investigation into major egg producers Cal-Maine, Hickman's Egg Ranch, and Versova. The antitrust complaint alleges executives coordinated to manipulate the Urner Barry price index—which underpins most commercial egg contracts—by placing artificially high bids in the spot market, paying premiums to each other to create higher transaction records, and directly lobbying Urner Barry to ignore lower prices. Under the settlement, companies will donate 53 million eggs to food banks and pay up to $3.3 million, but admit no wrongdoing. Cal-Maine saw net income balloon to $1.2 billion in 2025. The companies must adopt antitrust compliance policies, but critics note the industry remains highly consolidated and consent decrees are difficult to enforce.
Washington MonthlyWashington Monthly Report on Egg Price Collusion Validated by DOJ Settlement
The Washington Monthly's reporting that egg price spikes between 2022 and 2025 were driven by corporate collusion, not just supply and demand, has been validated by a Department of Justice and bipartisan state attorneys general investigation. The probe concluded that major egg producers including Cal-Maine, Hickman's Egg Ranch, and Versova manipulated the Urner Barry price index—a benchmark tied to most commercial egg contracts—by coordinating bids in the spot market, paying premiums for cross-company egg purchases to inflate transaction values, and lobbying the index to ignore lower prices. As a result, egg prices hit record highs while Cal-Maine's net income surged over 300% to $1.2 billion. Under the settlement, the companies admit no wrongdoing but will donate 53 million eggs to food banks and pay $3.3 million. They also agreed to cease information sharing and implement antitrust compliance programs. The article notes that without structural market changes, dominant food corporations may continue price gouging.
Washington MonthlyWashington Monthly's Investigation Confirmed: Egg Companies Colluded During Bird Flu Crisis
The Washington Monthly reports that its earlier suspicions about egg price manipulation between 2022 and 2025 have been validated by a Department of Justice and bipartisan state attorneys general investigation. The probe concluded that dominant egg corporations, including Cal-Maine, Hickman's Egg Ranch, and Versova, colluded to exploit the bird flu crisis and artificially inflate prices. Executives allegedly coordinated bids in the small cash market, paid each other premiums to create higher transaction values, and lobbied the Urner Barry price index to ignore lower prices. As a result, egg prices hit record highs while Cal-Maine's net income surged over 300% to $1.2 billion in 2025. The companies will donate 53 million eggs to food banks and pay up to $3.3 million, but admit no wrongdoing. They also agreed to cease anticompetitive information sharing and adopt compliance measures. The article notes that without structural market changes, similar price gouging may recur despite the consent decree.
Washington MonthlyAlleged Egg Price-Fixing: DOJ Settles With Three Major Producers Over Collusion
Business Insider reports that the U.S. Department of Justice, along with 17 state attorneys general, has proposed a settlement against three large egg producers—Cal-Maine, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—alleging they colluded to fix egg prices between 2022 and March 2025. The companies coordinated bids on egg exchanges via phone and text, keeping prices artificially high. Under the proposed settlement, the companies will pay a combined $3.3 million fine and donate over 50 million eggs to food banks, without admitting wrongdoing. The article notes that while avian flu and state farming regulations were real cost drivers, the alleged price-fixing adds an illegal layer to the crisis. Egg prices became a major political issue in the 2024 election, peaking at $6.23 a dozen in April 2025, and were cited by President Trump as a key reason for his victory. The author expresses anger over being misled by industry explanations.
All Content from Business InsiderDOJ reaches settlement with major egg producers over alleged price manipulation
The U.S. Department of Justice and attorneys general from 17 states announced proposed settlements with Cal-Maine Foods, Hickman's Egg Ranch, and Versova, three of the nation's largest egg producers, for allegedly coordinating to manipulate the Urner Barry pricing benchmark, a key industry index that influences wholesale egg prices nationwide. The companies agreed to pay a combined $3.3 million to participating states and donate approximately 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofit organizations. They must also adopt antitrust compliance measures and end the alleged coordination. The Justice Department's complaint alleges the firms coordinated bidding to create the appearance of stronger demand, artificially inflating prices for billions of eggs annually. Cal-Maine denied wrongdoing, stating it was not assessed fines and will pay $1.5 million and donate 30 million eggs. The settlements require court approval after a 60-day public comment period under the Tunney Act.
Yahoo FinanceDOJ and states settle egg price-fixing case against Cal-Maine and other producers
The U.S. Department of Justice and 17 state attorneys general reached a settlement with three major egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—over an alleged scheme to manipulate the Urner Barry egg price benchmark from June 2022 to March 2025. The companies coordinated bids to artificially inflate prices, affecting retailers and consumers nationwide. Under the settlement, which requires court approval, the companies will donate 53 million eggs to food banks and pay $3.3 million. Cal-Maine will supply 30 million eggs and pay $1.5 million; Hickman's will contribute 23 million eggs and $1 million; Versova will pay $800,000. The firms must also install antitrust compliance officers. All three denied wrongdoing, with Cal-Maine stating its behavior was lawful. Egg prices have since fallen to about $2 per dozen due to oversupply.
Yahoo FinanceDOJ and States Settle Egg Price-Fixing Case Against Cal-Maine and Other Producers
The U.S. Department of Justice and 17 state attorneys general reached a proposed settlement with three of the nation's largest egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—over allegations of rigging the Urner Barry egg price benchmark from June 2022 to March 2025. The companies were accused of coordinating bids to artificially inflate prices paid by retailers and consumers. The settlement requires the companies to donate 53 million eggs to food banks and pay $3.3 million in total (Cal-Maine: $1.5 million plus 30 million eggs; Hickman's: $1 million; Versova: $800,000). They must also install antitrust compliance officers. All three companies denied wrongdoing, with Cal-Maine stating it faced no fines or penalties. Egg prices have since dropped to about $2 per dozen in May 2026. The settlement awaits court approval.
Yahoo FinanceMajor egg producers settle price inflation probe for $3.3 million
Three major U.S. egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—have agreed to pay $3.3 million to settle allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice and 17 states that they secretly coordinated from June 2022 to March 2025 to artificially inflate a key daily egg price index, leading to higher consumer prices. The proposed settlement, subject to court approval, requires the companies to adopt antitrust compliance programs. The companies denied wrongdoing, attributing price spikes to a historic bird flu outbreak. The case highlights ongoing consumer affordability concerns amid broader inflation, with egg prices previously surging 150% year-over-year in early 2023.
US Top News and AnalysisUS Egg Producers Reach Settlement with DOJ Over Pricing Manipulation Probe
Three major US egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch—have reached a settlement with the Department of Justice and 17 states over allegations of manipulating egg prices. The New York State Attorney General announced the deal on June 29, 2026, requiring the companies to donate 53 million eggs to food banks and pay $3.3 million to the states. The investigation found that from June 2022 to March 2025, the firms coordinated to influence a daily egg price index, driving up costs for retailers and consumers. New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the companies for colluding to squeeze profits from working families. Cal-Maine, which left the cooperative in May 2024 before the investigation began, denied any wrongdoing but agreed to donate 30 million eggs and pay $1.5 million. The settlement follows a 15-month DOJ investigation into whether producers shared bidding information to manipulate industry price indices.
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