In the ongoing IN RE TURKEY ANTITRUST LITIGATION, top turkey producers are urging an Illinois federal judge to reject a motion for class certification by direct purchasers of turkey products (DPPs). The purchasers filed the motion in 2019, alleging collusion among producers to fix prices.
Direct purchasers of turkey products sought class status for various turkey items, including whole birds, turkey breast, and ground turkey. They referenced class certifications in other cases involving broiler chicken and pork.
However, the turkey producers are resisting the class certification motion. They argue that the intricacies of the turkey industry, encompassing diverse products, bird types, and production processes, render class treatment unsuitable.
The producers further contend that the analysis presented to the court by the DPPs is insufficient to establish a common proof of antitrust injury and damages. This disagreement reflects a key challenge in determining whether the evidence put forth by the purchasers is robust enough to warrant class certification.
As the legal dispute unfolds, the court will assess the arguments presented by both parties, ultimately shaping the direction of the IN RE TURKEY ANTITRUST LITIGATION case.
