Bipartisan Scrutiny on Egg Industry Practices
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senator Jim Banks are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to intensify its antitrust investigation into major U.S. egg producers. In a joint letter to Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater, the senators expressed concern over prolonged high egg prices and questioned whether large companies are engaging in anticompetitive behavior.
Consumer Costs Under Pressure
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of a dozen eggs rose from $4.95 in January to $6.22 in March — a 25% surge. While wholesale prices have dropped in recent weeks, retail prices remain elevated. The senators argue that this gap may reflect manipulation rather than market conditions.
Avian Flu or Corporate Greed?
The egg industry has blamed the price hikes on avian flu outbreaks, but Warren and Banks remain skeptical.
“We’re concerned that record high egg prices reflect noncompetitive behavior among large producers,” they wrote. The letter also noted that prices only began dropping after the DOJ launched its investigation.
Courtesy: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images, FILE
History of Price Fixing Raises Red Flags
Citing past cases of price fixing among egg companies, the senators stressed that similar coordination may be happening again. “Given this history, we urge DOJ to thoroughly review whether recent trends in egg prices reflect impermissible coordination,” they stated.
Senators Demand Answers
Both lawmakers are requesting the DOJ provide updates by mid-May, including whether bird flu can fully explain price increases, how much profits have risen among top egg producers, and if prices fell significantly after the investigation began.
Political Flashpoint
Egg prices became a key talking point during the 2024 presidential race. President Donald Trump has claimed that prices are now falling due to his administration’s actions. Economists, however, dispute attributing such market shifts to any single president.
Public Interest at Stake
“Americans deserve to know if those sky-high prices are the result of out-of-control corporate greed,” said Warren, according to ABC News. Banks added, “It’s long overdue for an antitrust investigation to bring down prices and create more competition.”
Keep up with the egg price surge with us on Que Onda Magazine.