Justice Department proposes settlement with three egg producers over alleged price coordination

The Department of Justice proposed a settlement this week with three major egg producers accused of coordinating bids on egg exchanges from 2022 through March 2025. The three companies named in the proposal are Cal-Maine, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch.

The Department of Justice and 17 state attorneys general allege the firms used phone calls and text messages to keep prices elevated, affecting retail prices.

Settlement terms Under the proposed agreement the companies would pay a combined $3.3 million fine and donate more than 50 million eggs to food banks. The companies have accepted the terms, which do not require an admission of wrongdoing, but the settlement still needs court approval.

A representative for Versova stated the decision reflects an intention to move past the matter and focus on business operations. A representative for MTQ USA, the owner of Hickman's, noted the conduct predates its November 2025 acquisition of the company.

Background on egg prices Egg prices rose sharply in recent years, with industry observers attributing much of the increase to widespread avian flu outbreaks that reduced supply. One producer reported in June 2025 that the flu killed 95 percent of its flock.

The proposed settlement does not claim price coordination was the sole or primary driver of higher prices. Court records and statements from the companies indicate the avian flu epidemic affected multiple producers during the same period.