Source: Meatingplace.com (Chris Moore)

Sanderson Farms has become the latest company to reach a settlement with broiler chicken growers across the country in an antitrust case.

The company reached an agreement with eight defendants after the plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in 2020, alleging Sanderson Farms and other companies colluded to share detailed data on grower compensation with one another with the purpose and effect of artificially depressing grower compensation below competitive levels, according to court records.

The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The settlement was reached late last week, and both sides are working to finalize the details to be approved by the Judge Robert Shelby, according to the most recent filing.

Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue Farms and Koch Foods were also named in lawsuit. In 2021, Tyson and Perdue Farms settled for $21 million and $14.75 million, respectively. In May, Koch Foods settled with growers for $15.5 million.

The case against Pilgrim’s Pride is still open.