Perfection Fresh Admits Vegetable Price-Fixing, Proposes $12 Million Penalty

Perfection Fresh Australia, the nation's second-largest vegetable supplier, publicly admitted on October 26, 2026, to engaging in cartel conduct on eleven occasions between 2019 and 2020, and has agreed to jointly propose a $12 million penalty to the Federal Court[10][11][12]. This admission marks a significant development in civil proceedings initiated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) against the company and other suppliers for alleged price-fixing affecting fresh produce supplied to Aldi stores[10].

This outcome highlights the ACCC's continued efforts to combat anti-competitive practices within Australia's fresh food supply chain. Cartel conduct, such as price-fixing, can lead to increased costs for consumers purchasing essential household vegetables and can disadvantage businesses that operate fairly[7][10].

Admission of Cartel Conduct

Perfection Fresh Australia admitted to fixing the prices of broccoli, cauliflower, and iceberg lettuce. This specific cartel conduct occurred on eleven occasions between 2019 and 2020 and impacted Aldi stores located in New South Wales[10]. While the company admitted to eleven contraventions, the proposed $12 million penalty covers nine contraventions and one attempted contravention because one of the admitted instances fell outside the applicable time period for a penalty[10]. In addition to the financial penalty, Perfection Fresh Australia also agreed to establish a competition law compliance program[10][11]. The Federal Court will ultimately decide whether to approve the proposed penalty and the other orders[10][11].

ACCC's Ongoing Case

The ACCC first launched civil proceedings in September 2025 against Perfection Fresh Australia, along with Hydro Produce (Aust), Veli Velisha Fresh Produce, Velisha National Farms, and M. Fragapane & Sons[5][6][10]. The regulator also named three senior executives: Catherine Velisha, Director and Chief Executive of Velisha National Farms; Kaushik Vora, Senior Sales Manager for Velisha National Farms; and Roberto Nave, General Sales Manager for M. Fragapane & Sons[5][6]. The broader allegations by the ACCC cover a period from 2018 to 2024, during which multiple suppliers allegedly engaged in cartel conduct across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, involving vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, Brussels sprouts, and zucchini[6][7][8]. The ACCC claims that on at least 28 occasions, two or more suppliers made or attempted to make arrangements to fix or maintain prices, and on 48 other occasions, prices were submitted to Aldi in line with these alleged agreements[7][9]. ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward stated that "cartel conduct undermines competition and can increase prices, harming consumers and raising the cost of doing business"[10][11]. The ACCC's case against the other suppliers and individuals remains ongoing[10][11].

Public Statements

Before its admission, Perfection Fresh Australia had stated it was cooperating with the ACCC and would not comment further while the matter was before the courts[9]. The company maintained its commitment to "integrity, transparency, and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations"[9]. Following the admission, the ACCC's statement confirmed Perfection Fresh's agreement to the proposed penalty and compliance program, pending court approval[10][11].

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm the specific details or outcomes of the ongoing civil proceedings against the other vegetable suppliers and individuals named in the ACCC's case. We also could not confirm the exact dates on which the Federal Court will review the proposed penalty and compliance program agreed upon by Perfection Fresh Australia and the ACCC.