News bytes for NSW Poultry Growers
Challenges Facing the Poultry & Egg Industry
Egg Processors under fire
On Tuesday 13 October, the ACCC filed Federal Court proceedings alleging that Australia’s biggest egg supplier, Sunny Queen, and 11 other producers and suppliers breached competition laws by coordinating Australian egg production and supply.
The ACCC alleges that, since at least October 2020, suppliers and producers coordinated production volumes, distribution, expansion and culling to manage perceived oversupply, likely substantially reducing competition for many years.
Concerted practice
This is the ACCC’s first concerted practice case since the prohibition began in 2017. A concerted practice involves business cooperation beyond independent responses to market conditions.
Entities involved
The proceedings include:
· Sunny Queen Pty Ltd (Sunny Queen)
· Doug Hall Poultry Pty Ltd (Hall)
· Alpair Pty Ltd, trading as McLean Farms (McLean Farms)
· Ellerslie Free Range Farms Pty Ltd (Ellerslie)
· Kinross Farm Pty Ltd (Kinross)
Each is alleged to have engaged in cartel conduct and a concerted practice with the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially reducing competition. The ACCC’s concise statement names all 12 entities involved.
Competition concerns
“Our investigation has uncovered alleged widespread anti-competitive conduct in the egg industry that we allege has impacted the supply of eggs to Australian consumers since at least 2020. This alleged conduct is extremely serious, which is why we have commenced this Federal Court action,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
“Fair competition in the supply of fresh food such as eggs is extremely important. Anti-competitive conduct disadvantages Australian consumers, who can face reduced choice and higher prices, as well as those businesses seeking to compete fairly or who are seeking to enter markets to provide competing supply.”
Industry context
The ACCC alleges the egg industry is highly concentrated, with few large suppliers and significant barriers to entry and expansion.
Eggs are a consumer staple, with Australians consuming over 250 per person annually on average.
The alleged conduct covered production and supply of free-range, cage and organic eggs.
Alleged coordination
“These companies are alleged to have coordinated in a range of decisions about their business operations, including the retailers each business could supply, what volumes they could produce and when to cull birds to manage periods of perceived over-supply,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We allege this coordination between Sunny Queen, Hall and McLean Farms extended to purchasing a property in Pittsworth, Queensland, for the purpose of preventing its acquisition by rival egg suppliers. We also allege this had the effect of substantially lessening competition.”
“We also allege that Sunny Queen restricted how many eggs its rival Kinross could sell to customers, and prevented Kinross from selling its eggs to Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Metcash or Costco.”
Independent decisions
“We are committed to protecting competition in fresh food supply chains so Australian consumers receive the benefits of businesses competing on price,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“These proceedings are a reminder that businesses must make their production, supply and pricing decisions independently.”
Orders sought
The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, injunctions, costs and other orders.
Precision Poultry acquires 80 sheds in NSW
Roc Partners-backed Precision Poultry’s acquisition of VOAG’s 80 Riverina poultry sheds received ACCC approval on 24 June 2026. The approximately 212-hectare operation supplies Baiada and has capacity for around 5.2 million chickens per cycle. The estimated A$130–140 million price remains unconfirmed.
For the industry, the deal signals growing private equity investment and consolidation as Roc builds a national platform through acquisitions and new farms. This could support expansion, although acquiring existing sheds does not itself increase production capacity.
The ACCC found the deal unlikely to substantially lessen competition.
H5N1 Updates
Refer to the home page for regular updates on the current impacts for NSW and Australia.
Health and safety regulations
As H5N1 settles into Australia, biosecurity regulatory requirements are being rolled out across the industry. Growers are encouraged to follow the Voluntary Housing of Poultry – Housing recommendation extended until further notice.
Key regulations include:
Regular health checks for flocks.
Enhanced cleaning protocols for facilities.
Vaccination programs to protect against common poultry diseases.
Know the signs of bird flu
The following signs of bird flu will usually appear in several or all birds in a flock, including:
sudden death
lethargy or reluctance to walk, eat or drink
droopy appearance or ruffled feathers
head or limb swelling
bruising of the wattle, comb, feet or skin
respiratory signs such as panting, nasal discharge or sneezing
diarrhoea
unusual head or neck posture, un-coordination, inability to walk or stand.
Prepare your biosecurity plan
Following your biosecurity plan every day reduces the risk of bird flu and other diseases entering your farm, protecting your birds and business.
Other Areas of Interest
Australian Chicken Growers Council
ACGC, on behalf of NSWPGC and other state poultry meat groups continues to advocate for the industry and the issues ensuing at State and National levels.
Consumer Trends and Preferences
Organic and Free-Range Products under H5N1 biosecurity recommendations
Free-range egg farmers who move their hens indoors to protect them from H5 bird flu, are allowed to continue to label and sell their eggs as free range as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has extended a pause on enforcement measures for free-range label breaches.
Producers need to be prepared with alternative labelling and information if affected by a housing order or recommendation beyond 90 days. By that time the information should tell consumers that eggs or meat were, or may have been, produced from housed poultry.
Transparency and Traceability
ABAREs Interim Report on the Chicken Meat Industry
ABARES released interim findings from its chicken meat industry review to seek feedback before finalising recommendations to the Australian Government. The report was submitted to Minister Julie Colins for review and action in March 2026.
The review consulted large and small integrated producers and growers nationwide from April to August 2025.
Integrated producers and growers held markedly different views on industry relationships and conduct.
The interim findings identified barriers to efficient market operation, leading to market failure.
Options include the status quo, further consideration of unfair contract terms, industry self-regulation, a prescribed voluntary code of conduct or a mandatory code of conduct.
7 months on, the industry is waiting with bated breath on the next steps.
Innovations in Poultry Technology
Baiada - State of the Art Processing Plant - Tamworth September 2026
Baiada Poultry’s new Tamworth processing plant in New South Wales puts technology at the centre of a multi-million-dollar investment in future food manufacturing and poultry processing capacity.
Its three-stage chilling system combines immersion, shock and maturation air chilling. Baiada says the combination of immersion and air chilling is a global first at this scale.
Alongside the manufacturing technology, the plant provides a cafeteria, gymnasium, landscaped courtyard, breakout areas and modern administration spaces for employees.
“Technology is an important part of this facility, but it’s the people behind that technology who make our business successful,” Camilleri said.
Baiada says the plant is part of its broader investment in the future of Australia’s poultry sector and domestic food production, supporting Steggles and Lilydale Free Range.
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