DOJ Settlement Puts Egg Prices Back in the Spotlight

Egg prices have come down, and while highly pathogenic avian influenza dominated discussions during the run-up to record prices, proposed federal antitrust settlements are providing a closer look at what else may have been happening behind the scenes.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice, joined by attorneys general from 17 states, including Florida and North Carolina, reached proposed settlements with egg producers Cal-Maine Foods, Hickman's Egg Ranch, and Versova. The government alleges the companies coordinated bids used to help influence wholesale egg prices between June 2022 and March 2025.

The companies have not admitted wrongdoing. Under the proposed settlements, they agreed to stop sharing certain bidding information with competitors, establish antitrust compliance programs, donate more than 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofit organizations, and pay a combined $3.3 million to participating states.

The Justice Department says the proposed settlements are intended to help prevent future coordination involving benchmark pricing. Before they become final, the agreements must be approved by a federal court and will be subject to a public comment period.