Approval of $45 Million ADM Deal Ends Peanut Cartel Class Action

Antitrust litigation against the country’s top peanut shelling companies has concluded after a federal judge in Virginia approved a $45 million settlement between an Archer Daniels Midland Co. subsidiary and the farmers leading the class action.

Judge Raymond A. Jackson signed off late Tuesday on the agreement with ADM unit Golden Peanut Co., nearly four months after giving his blessing to a $50 million deal letting Birdsong Corp. out of the case and a $7.75 million settlement with an Olam International Ltd. affiliate.

“Adjudication of plaintiffs’ claims has already proven costly,” and “future appeals of any jury outcome are not ...