Pilgrim's Pride Agrees to $100 Million Settlement

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has agreed to pay $100 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it conspired with other poultry companies to underpay chicken growers, marking the largest settlement in the seven-year antitrust case. The settlement follows previous agreements with other processors, bringing the total recovery to $169 million, pending court approval. Plaintiffs accused Pilgrim’s and its rivals of colluding to suppress farmer wages by sharing compensation data and agreeing not to recruit each other’s growers. The settlement, if approved, is expected to compensate approximately 24,354 growers from January 27, 2013, to December 31, 2019. Pilgrim’s Pride denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the claims. A final court hearing is anticipated for December 2024 to address disbursement plans and approval.