Egg Producers Reach Proposed Settlement With DOJ Over Price Quotes, Deny Wrongdoing

The Department of Justice and more than a dozen states reached a proposed settlement with Cal-Maine Food, Versova/Centrum and Hickman's Egg Ranch to resolve allegations that the companies colluded to inflate daily egg price quotations between June 2022 and March 2025.

The June 29 complaint filed by the Justice Department and the states accuses the three firms of submitting bids that created the false impression of greater demand than existed. Daily quotations from Urner Barry serve as the industry benchmark that determines what retailers pay for eggs nationwide, according to the complaint.

The companies supply eggs to grocery stores, restaurants and retailers across the U.S. Under the agreement the producers will deliver a combined 53 million eggs to food banks and community organizations in the participating states and pay the states $3.3 million.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Sarrine said the settlements will keep egg prices competitive and keep money in the hands of consumers.

Cal-Maine, which describes itself as the nation's largest egg producer, denied any wrongdoing and called the allegations baseless. Versova stated it is pleased the investigation was resolved without any finding or admission of wrongdoing. Hickman's did not respond to a request for comment.

The settlement requires court approval. The Justice Department said the terms will deter the companies from communicating with competitors to influence egg prices. A carton of large Grade A eggs now averages $2.19, down from $6.23 in March 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St.