Tyson Tentatively Settles With Chicken Farmers in Broiler Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit

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Chicken farmers, referred to as “modern-day sharecroppers” in the Tyson antitrust class action litigation, may have reached a deal with the company ending claims it schemed to drive down the price of poultry.  

Tyson Foods Inc will reportedly pay more in the expansive antitrust litigation which claimed the chicken giant conspired with competitors to keep the price of poultry low. In addition to chicken farmers, the company saw legal action from others in the supply chain, including producers and grocers, who claimed Tyson, along with Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue, and other major poultry producers engaged in cartel-like conduct to benefit their bottom line.  

The entire meat industry has been hit with antitrust allegations, including major beef, poultry, egg, and fish producers, reports Bloomberg Law.  

Tyson has reportedly agreed to pay close to $200 million to resolve antitrust class action lawsuit claims, along with millions paid by other chicken producers.  

The chicken farmers told Bloomberg that they expect to file the settlement for approval from the Oklahoma federal court soon. The chicken farmers claimed that Tyson and other poultry producers’ antitrust actions depressed their wages and bound them to debt like “modern-day sharecroppers.” 

If approved, the settlement will provide monetary compensation and the “cooperation” of Tyson against other chicken producers implicated in the antitrust class action lawsuit.  

Chicken purchasers hit the poultry industry with an antitrust class action lawsuit in 2016, claiming Tyson and other producers conspiring for years to jack up the price of consumer chicken by scaling back production.  

In 2018, major grocery chains hit Tyson and other poultry companies with a class action lawsuit claiming a price-fixing scheme targeted their profits.  

Have you noticed higher prices for chicken? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.  

The chicken farmers are represented by Hausfeld LLP and Berger Montague PC. 

The Tyson Chicken Price Fixing Class Action Lawsuit is In re: Broiler Chicken Growe Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 20-md-2977 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.  

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