Maryland will receive more than 2 million eggs. Here's why

Todd Karpovich, The Baltimore Sun on Jun 30, 2026

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BALTIMORE — Maryland will receive more than 2 million eggs for food banks and community organizations as part of a multistate settlement accusing three major egg producers of illegally coordinating to drive up prices, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Tuesday.

The settlement, reached by Brown and a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general with the U.S. Department of Justice, also requires Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum and Hickman’s Egg Ranch to pay a combined $3.3 million and implement measures aimed at preventing future antitrust violations. Maryland will receive more than $120,000 tied to the alleged conduct.

The investigation found the companies coordinated from June 2022 through March 2025 to influence daily egg price quotes published by Urner Barry, a benchmark pricing service used in egg supply contracts, according to officials. The companies allegedly communicated about bidding strategies and submitted higher bids, which affected the pricing index used by retailers and ultimately consumers.

“When Marylanders’ budgets were stretched so thin that they could barely keep food on the table, these three companies were colluding to make sure egg prices stayed as high as possible,” Brown said in a statement. “This settlement holds these businesses accountable for rigging the market against Maryland’s most vulnerable and delivers eggs to the community organizations serving those hurt most by this unlawful scheme.”

Officials with Cal-Maine Foods, Versova/Centrum and Hickman’s Egg Ranch could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. However, the companies have not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement, according to the attorneys general.

The investigation cited a December 2022 email from a Hickman’s executive to leaders at Versova and Cal-Maine urging them to submit “strong bids, early and often” to increase prices. Investigators said the companies then submitted dozens of higher bids that contributed to increases in Urner Barry price quotes.

Under the agreement, the companies must stop any coordination intended to manipulate prices, establish antitrust compliance programs and appoint officers responsible for monitoring compliance. They also must cooperate with state and federal oversight.

The 53 million eggs included in the settlement will be donated at the companies’ expense to food banks and nonprofit organizations in participating states, including more than 2 million eggs directed to Maryland organizations. The donations must meet food safety requirements, officials said.

The settlement was announced by Brown along with attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as the Justice Department.

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