James accuses Cal-Maine, Versova and Hickman's of manipulating egg-price benchmarks
Letitia JamesNew York attorney general and a plaintiff in the multistate case
James says Cal-Maine, Versova/Centrum and Hickman's Egg Ranch coordinated bidding to manipulate egg-price benchmarks. She announces a settlement requiring egg donations and payments to states.
“These egg producers manipulated the market to squeeze even more profit out of consumers and businesses. By shutting this scheme down and delivering millions of eggs to those in need, we’re sending a clear message that companies will not get away with illegal price hikes in New York.”
Official statement
Original text
Where this statement fits
Did Cal-Maine and other egg producers manipulate egg-price benchmarks?
The Justice Department and 17 states allege that major egg producers coordinated bids to inflate Urner Barry price quotations. Cal-Maine denies wrongdoing and says its communications did not affect egg prices. The filed complaint and proposed settlement do not resolve the disputed facts by trial.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
New York's attorney general describes the alleged coordination and the multistate settlement. Cal-Maine denies wrongdoing.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Original text
About this source
The proposed consent judgment states that the parties consent without a trial, adjudication or admission. It is not an entered finding of liability.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
James's office announces a multistate settlement with Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum and Hickman's Egg Ranch after an investigation of their communications and bids on the Urner Barry index.
After the quotation
Cal-Maine's proposed consent judgment states that the agreement does not constitute an admission by any party.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
James says the producers manipulated the market for profit. This criticizes the benchmark manipulation examined in the case.
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More from this case
Read the full caseCal-Maine denies wrongdoing and price effects
Cal-Maine Foods
“The Company denies all wrongdoing and violations of law and continues to believe that such claims are baseless and that its conduct was lawful, appropriate and in the best interest of supplying eggs to the marketplace. Cal-Maine further maintains that the Company's communications cited in the complaint – which were made primarily by a single former employee – did not impact egg prices in any market.”Read statement
DOJ alleges an unlawful agreement to manipulate egg-price benchmarks
United States Department of Justice
“Defendants’ agreement to manipulate the Urner Barry price quotations violates Section 1 of the Sherman Act and should be enjoined.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "James accuses Cal-Maine, Versova and Hickman's of manipulating egg-price benchmarks". First published: 2026-10-19. Last updated: 2026-10-19. https://disputeindex.com/events/6070-james-says-cal-maine-versova-centrum-and-hickman