US egg farmers settle price fixing case for US$25 million

The settlement, entered into between the plaintiffs and three of the defendants - Land O' Lakes, Moark, and Norco - is the first settlement in this case providing monetary compensation to class members.

The plaintiffs allege a near industry-wide, price-fixing conspiracy among egg farmers, which raised the price of shell eggs and egg products in violation of antitrust law.

In particular, the plaintiffs contend that numerous defendants conspired to restrict egg supply through cage space requirements, coordinated molting schedules and hen reductions, and exported eggs at a loss in order to reduce domestic supplies and raise prices.

According to the plaintiffs' complaint, the conspiracy was coordinated through several egg trade associations including United Egg Producers and United States Egg Marketers.

Plaintiffs previously entered into a non-monetary settlement with Sparboe Farms, which provided documents and testimony that plaintiffs used in amending their claims.

The current settlement, which still needs to be approved by the court, would provide compensation to individuals and companies that directly purchased certain shell eggs and egg products from egg producers.