Justice Department sues three egg producers over alleged price coordination

The Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit Tuesday against three major egg producers, alleging they coordinated bids and private trades to influence industry price benchmarks. The complaint, filed by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division with attorneys general from 17 states, names Cal-Maine Foods, Hickman’s Egg Ranch, and Versova Holdings and affiliated companies.

Prosecutors allege the companies used text messages, emails, and phone calls to coordinate bidding strategies aimed at market publisher Urner Barry.

Alleged coordination One October 2023 text message cited in the complaint shows a Cal-Maine executive telling Hickman’s CEO, “We are bidding up. ” A December 2023 email from Hickman’s CEO urged competitors to submit “strong bids, early and often” to push benchmark prices higher.

The complaint also alleges the companies conducted private trades at above-market prices to give reporters transactions supporting higher quotes.

Price impact and settlements Federal prosecutors said the alleged coordination contributed to record benchmark prices before they fell after the companies learned in March 2025 that an investigation had begun. Egg prices rose sharply in late 2024 and early 2025 amid an H5N1 bird flu outbreak that reduced supply.

Alongside the lawsuit, the Justice Department filed proposed settlements that would bar the companies from sharing bidding strategies or supply information with competitors and require antitrust compliance programs. The companies will have an opportunity to respond in court.