The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has filed civil proceedings in the Federal Court against 12 egg producers and suppliers, alleging they coordinated production and supply decisions in breach of competition law.
The regulator alleges that, from at least October 2020, some businesses discussed or coordinated matters including production volumes, distribution, expansion and flock culling to manage perceived oversupply. It says the alleged conduct was likely to substantially reduce competition. These are allegations before the court, not findings of wrongdoing.
The businesses named in the ACCC announcement include Sunny Queen, Doug Hall Poultry, McLean Farms, Ellerslie Free Range Farms and Kinross Farm. The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties and other orders.
In a statement published on 13 October, Sunny Queen said it had cooperated with the investigation, denied the allegations and intended to defend the proceedings. The company said its egg supply continued as usual.
The court will determine the claims. No conclusion about liability should be drawn from the filing of proceedings alone.
Sources: ACCC media release, 13 October 2026; Sunny Queen's 13 October statement.
Image disclosure: This AI-generated editorial illustration shows generic, unbranded eggs. It is not a photograph of a named supplier or evidence in the case.
