The Justice Department is interviewing top US egg producers over alleged price manipulation
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The Justice Department and attorneys general from 17 states announced proposed settlements Tuesday with the nation’s largest egg producers after allegations that they planned to collude with a significant price cap that raised egg prices for consumers across the country.
Federal officials simultaneously filed a civil defamation lawsuit against Cal-Maine Foods, Hickman’s Egg Ranch and Versova while filing these proposed injunctions, which – if approved by a federal court – would prevent the companies from engaging in the alleged conduct going forward.
According to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, 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. These agreements require companies to take antitrust measures and end suspected collusion.
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Eggs are displayed for sale at a grocery store in New York, on September 6, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Department of Justice alleges that the companies used daily price quotations published by Urner Barry, an industry standard that influences egg prices across the country.
According to the complaint, the companies coordinated the bidding process to create the appearance of strong demand and raise prices for the billions of eggs sold annually.
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Eggs are sold at a farmers market in Takoma Park, Maryland, on July 9, 2025. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The complaint also claims that prices dropped significantly after the companies learned of the government’s investigation and were ordered to keep records by March 2025.
“No product represents affordability more than the price Americans pay for eggs,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement. “These actions demonstrate the Department’s continued commitment to protecting competition and providing real relief to the pocketbooks of everyday Americans.”
Eggs from ISA Brown hens inside a nesting box at an egg farm in Mason, Michigan, on March 3, 2025. (Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Cal-Maine, the nation’s largest egg producer, denied wrongdoing in a statement, saying “no fines or penalties were assessed” under the agreement. The company said it will pay $1.5 million to participating states and donate 30 million eggs to food banks and nonprofits while implementing certain compliance and reporting measures.
Mantiqueira USA, the joint venture that acquired Hickman’s Egg Ranch in November 2025, said the conduct described in the complaint occurred before the company was taken over.
“This settlement fully resolves the allegations against Hickman’s Egg Ranch related to that period,” the company said.
The proposed agreements remain subject to court approval following the 60-day public comment period required under the Tunney Act.
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FOX Business has reached out to Cal-Maine Foods, Hickman’s Egg Ranch and Versova for further comment.
Reuters contributed to this report.
