The U.S. Justice Department and a coalition of 17 states have reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers following an investigation into the alleged manipulation of egg prices. Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch agreed to settle allegations that the companies engaged in illegal price coordination and colluded in a multiyear scheme to raise prices.
The Department of Justice stated that the alleged price-fixing scheme began in 2022. This period of manipulation occurred as average U.S. egg prices climbed to a record high of approximately $6.23 per dozen in March 2025. The Justice Department and state attorneys general had previously filed suit against five egg producers for the unlawful manipulation of prices.
To resolve the antitrust investigation, the three producers will be required to provide 53 million eggs to food banks. In addition to the donation of eggs, the companies must pay a financial penalty of $3.3 million.