The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the rise in egg prices. Reports have investigated whether producers illegally conspired to limit the supply behind the veil of the rampant avian flu outbreak.
The investigation is early and may not lead to formal action. Sources told the Wall Street Journal.
The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a post office request for comment.
Egg prices have almost doubled over the past year, leaving shoppers to fight in several cartons.
Prices rose sharply at grocery stores, with egg costs rising 15.2% in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the biggest increase since June 2015.
Its growth has been largely blamed on the ramp-prolonged avian flu outbreak that caused farmers to conceive a flock of disease and caused a nationwide shortage.
According to the Agriculture Bureau, this is the most deadly bird flu outbreak in US history, with more than 150 million chickens, turkeys and egg-selling chickens dead since 2022.
However, consumers also share concerns on social media that egg producers are conspiring to benefit from the avian flu outbreak, and could withhold supply to raise prices further.
Cal-Maine Foods, the country's largest egg producer, has repeatedly earned higher profits as egg prices skyrocketed.
Since 2022, when bird flu began to spread significantly, its inventory has skyrocketed by more than 100%.
Farmers argue that major egg producers are slow to rebuild their flocks to keep supply low, and profits are slow as stable demand sends higher prices.
Meanwhile, large companies claim that rebuilding their flocks takes time. This is especially important to be careful not to infect the facility again.
Some of the country's egg producers have recently been found guilty of a similar scheme.
In 2023, a federal ju umpire in Chicago determined that Calmaine, Rose Acre Farm, United Egg Producer and US egg marketers had restricted supplies for four years in 2004 to make a profit.
The defendant then challenged the verdict, seeking a new trial or reversed the original decision.
Shoppers are slapped at a staggering price tag at grocery stores. The average price of 12 eggs jumped to $5 nationwide, according to the Labor Bureau.
But wholesale prices have risen to $8 per dozen, so retailers are losing out on culinary staples.
President Trump has vowed to stubbornly lower prices at grocery stores, and recently his predecessor, Joe Biden, denounced the rise in egg prices earlier this week during an address to a joint session in Congress.
Last month, the Agriculture Department announced plans to invest $1 billion in efforts to address rising costs. This includes funding to support farmers and chicken vaccine research, including $500 million for more biosecurity measures on farms.
