Sunny Queen and 11 other egg makers face court over alleged cartel conduct
The ACCC alleges the companies coordinated production, expansion and culling decisions since October 2020.
Australia's consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has started court action. It targets Sunny Queen, the country's largest egg supplier, and 11 others.
The watchdog alleges the companies worked together on business decisions. It says this likely reduced competition since October 2020.
Some of the alleged conduct involves production levels, expansion plans and culling. The alleged aim was to manage what was seen as too much supply.
The ACCC alleges Sunny Queen, Hall and McLean Farms bought a property in Queensland. It says they did this to stop rivals buying it.
The ACCC also alleges Sunny Queen limited how many eggs its rival, Kinross, could sell. It also alleges Sunny Queen stopped Kinross selling to Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Metcash or Costco.
Sunny Queen denies the allegations and plans to defend the case. The ACCC wants penalties, court orders and costs.
- Sunny Queen and 11 other egg producers
- Companies named
- October 2020
- Alleged conduct since
- Federal Court
- Court
Why it mattersThe watchdog says the alleged conduct could mean less choice and higher prices for shoppers.
AustraliaEggs are a common, everyday food, so this case matters to households at the supermarket.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 51 min ago
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