Ken Paxton, DOJ Reach Settlement Over Meat Industry Pricing

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced a major antitrust settlement with Agri Stats, Inc., saying the agreement will help restore competition in the agriculture industry and lower grocery prices for consumers nationwide.

The settlement, reached in coordination with the Trump administration's United States Department of Justice, centers on allegations that Agri Stats facilitated the sharing of competitively sensitive information among meat processors, including data related to costs, production, and pricing strategies.

According to Paxton's office, the information-sharing system allowed competing companies to closely monitor one another's operations, reducing competition and contributing to higher prices for chicken, pork, and turkey products.

Under the agreement, Agri Stats will implement sweeping changes to the way it collects and distributes industry data. The company also agreed to make monetary payments to participating states in volved in the enforcement action.

State officials described the settlement as one of the most significant antitrust enforcement actions involving the agriculture industry in recent years, noting that it could reshape how competitors are allowed to exchange market information moving forward.

"Americans deserve fairly priced groceries, and I am honored to have partnered with President Trump's DOJ to lower the cost of chicken, pork, and turkey," said Paxton in a statement. "Agri Stats facilitated the sharing of information that killed true competition in pricing and raised the price of food for consumers."

Paxton's office said the settlement is part of a broader effort to combat anticompetitive practices in Texas agriculture. Paxton is currently pursuing investigations and lawsuits involving pesticide manufacturers, grocery store practices related to organic produce, and egg producer price-gouging cases.

Earlier this year, Paxton also secured a settlement involving egg producer Cal-Maine Foods, tied to allegations of inflated pricing practices.

The Agri Stats settlement marks another major antitrust action by Texas and federal officials targeting alleged price manipulation in the food supply chain.