April 8 (Reuters) - Cal-Maine Foods ( CALM ) on Tuesday

said it was cooperating with an investigation by the U.S.

Justice Department regarding high price of eggs and whether

producers have conspired to raise rates.

The U.S. egg producer got a civil investigative demand from

the authority last month, Cal-Maine said in a regulatory filing,

adding that the eventual scope, duration and outcome of the

investigation could not be predicted at this time.

The announcement comes amid record high egg prices at U.S.

grocery stores, as outbreaks of bird flu have led to shortages

by wiping out millions of hens.