Potato Growers Reach $25 Million Antitrust Settlement

A U.S. potato growers’ co-operative has agreed to pay $25 million to settle allegations that it violated antitrust law by acting as a cartel to raise prices. Under the deal, which was granted preliminary approval by a federal judge on June 17, the United Potato Growers of America and affiliated companies and organizations must pay $19.5 million to grocers and $5.5 million to consumers. The defendants have also agreed to cease any attempt to manage potato acreage prior to planting for seven years. It already appears, however, that the agreement won’t put the issue to rest. UPGA officials reported in June that one of the major plaintiffs, Kansas-based Associated Whole Grocers, will likely press forward with its own lawsuit rather than participating in the settlement.