Edgeworth Client Secures Landmark Win in Federal Antitrust Case Alleging Conspiracy to Raise Egg Prices

In a second trial addressing allegations of a conspiracy to reduce the supply of egg-laying hens, Edgeworth Partner Dr. Jesse David testified in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, helping secure a landmark win on behalf of Rose Acre Farms.

The trial, second in a multidistrict litigation, was brought by 12 supermarkets—including some of the largest grocery store chains in the US. Plaintiffs included direct purchasers that declined to join the previous class action case brought against Rose Acre in 2018.

Plaintiffs argued that Rose Acre conspired with industry groups in an anti-competitive scheme to reduce the supply of eggs and inflate prices through a certification program aimed at addressing animal welfare.  

Dr. David analyzed data on Rose Acre’s operations and calculated the economic effects over the period in which the price-fixing conspiracy was alleged to have taken place. His analyses showed that during the time period of the alleged conspiracy, Rose Acre’s egg-producing flock continued to grow and the company did not follow any of the industry groups’ flock recommendations claimed by the Plaintiffs to be anti-competitive. Following a day and a half of deliberation, the jury concluded that Rose Acre had not engaged in the alleged conspiracy.  

Dr. David previously presented economic evidence regarding Rose Acre’s alleged anticompetitive actions in the first class action trial brought by the classes of direct and indirect purchasers