ACCC Sues 12 Egg Suppliers Over Alleged Cartel Conduct

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission filed civil proceedings in the Federal Court on October 13, 2026, against 12 egg producers and suppliers. The regulator alleges that these entities, including the nation's largest supplier, Sunny Queen, engaged in cartel conduct and concerted practices to coordinate production volumes, distribution, and bird culling to manage oversupply since at least October 2020.

Specific allegations include a December 2021 agreement to reduce cage-egg supply by 200,000 dozen per week and a coordinated property purchase in Pittsworth, Queensland, intended to block rivals from entering the market. The regulator further alleges that Sunny Queen restricted a rival, Kinross, from selling eggs to major retailers such as Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Metcash, and Costco.

Sunny Queen denies the allegations and intends to defend the proceedings, stating it has cooperated fully with the investigation. This case marks the first time the regulator has brought action under concerted practice prohibitions since they were introduced in 2017.