ST. PAUL, MN – Around 2 million eggs will be distributed to food banks and community organizations across Minnesota following a major multi-state legal settlement with three top egg producers.
The Price-Fixing Allegations
The settlement stems from a civil lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and 17 states, including Minnesota. The lawsuit alleged that Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman’s Egg Ranch coordinated to artificially inflate daily egg price quotations between June 2022 and March 2025.
According to the complaint, the companies colluded on bids sent to Urner Barry Publications, a price index company that heavily influences wholesale egg costs for grocery stores and restaurants nationwide. The DOJ noted that price quotations began to drop immediately after the companies discovered they were under investigation.
The Multi-Million Dollar Settlement
While the companies have agreed to the settlement, they did not admit any wrongdoing. If the court grants final approval, the producers will collectively provide:
- $3.3 million in cash payouts distributed among the 17 states.
- 53 million eggs sent directly to regional food banks (with Minnesota securing roughly 2 million).
Market data tracks the dramatic shift in costs: a dozen eggs peaked around $6.23 in March 2025 before dropping to $2.19 by May 2026.
Producers Blame Bird Flu and Feed Costs
The involved companies have strongly defended their past pricing, calling the DOJ’s allegations baseless.
- Cal-Maine Foods stated the period in question was heavily impacted by pandemic disruptions, severe weather, and historic bird flu outbreaks.
- Versova noted that wholesale prices are driven by grain and hen feed cost fluctuations, rather than farmer manipulation, pointing out that bird flu devastated entire flocks.
- Mantiqueira USA (which recently acquired Hickman’s) clarified that the alleged conduct occurred entirely before their acquisition of the company.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison welcomed the resolution, noting that the incoming millions of eggs will provide critical, high-protein relief to local families relying on community food shelves.
