Antitrust litigation heats up against poultry processors

“ As with many antitrust cases in the agricultural field , the plaintiffs argue that the structure of the industry permits an inference of collusion .”

Growers , distributors and consumers bring class action claims

JAY LEVINE

Large poultry processors are under fire from two distinct groups : contract growers and customers . Contract growers have filed class actions against processors claiming that processors conspired to suppress grower compensation , while distributors and consumers alleged that processors conspired to reduce output and raise prices . Because antitrust claims have long plagued the agricultural sector , it is important to review these cases and monitor their claims , successes and failures .

Contract chicken grower litigation

The various class actions filed by contract broiler chicken growers were brought against Tyson , Pilgrim ’ s Pride , Perdue , Koch and Sanderson Farms and were consolidated in the Eastern District of Oklahoma back in June 2017 . In these cases , plaintiffs allege a conspiracy among the poultry processors not to compete for broiler grow-out services . This

Food & Agriculture Quarterly October 2017 | Page 8

Antitrust litigation heats up against poultry processors

“ As with many antitrust cases in the agricultural field , the plaintiffs argue that the structure of the industry permits an inference of collusion .”

JAY LEVINE