Australia's top egg producer and 11 rivals face federal cartel lawsuit
The ACCC has sued Sunny Queen and eleven other egg suppliers, alleging they colluded to control output and prices for at least six years.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Court against Sunny Queen, Australia's biggest egg supplier, and eleven additional producers including Doug Hall Poultry, McLeans Farms, Ellerslie Free Range Farms and Kinross Farm. The ACCC alleges that, beginning in October 2020, these firms jointly decided on output levels, distribution strategies, expansion initiatives and culling practices to manage perceived oversupply, thereby reducing competition.
According to the regulator, this coordinated behavior persisted for at least six years and likely inflated retail egg prices. ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb described the conduct as “extremely serious” and said it has impacted the supply of eggs to Australian consumers. The lawsuit seeks to hold the companies accountable under competition law and restore market fairness. Further developments are expected as the case proceeds through the courts.
Why it matters
The case could reshape Australia's egg market and affect prices for millions of consumers.
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