Perfection Fresh admits fixing Aldi vegetable prices in New South Wales
Perfection Fresh Australia admitted fixing prices for broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce supplied to Aldi in New South Wales on 11 occasions during 2019–2020. The company agreed to a proposed 12 million Australian dollars penalty, subject to Federal Court approval. Proceedings against the other suppliers and individuals in the wider civil case are continuing.
Economics & Markets··Night
Court approval is required for the proposed penalty
Perfection Fresh Australia admitted cartel conduct involving vegetables supplied to Aldi stores in New South Wales. The produce wholesaler agreed to a proposed penalty of 12 million Australian dollars, with the Federal Court to decide whether that amount and the other proposed orders are appropriate. The decision on the penalty is to come later.[1], [2]
The admission covers price fixing on 11 occasions during 2019–2020 for broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce. Only ten of those occasions can attract a penalty: nine contraventions and one attempted contravention. The remaining admitted occasion falls outside the period in which a penalty can apply, according to the competition commission.[1]
Admissions concern part of a wider civil case
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission began civil proceedings in the Federal Court in September 2025 against four vegetable-growing companies and three individuals. The wider allegations concern coordination of produce prices for Aldi stores in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland between 2018 and 2024. Perfection Fresh’s admissions relate to part of that period and geography.[1]
Proceedings against the other suppliers and individuals remain under way. The businesses named in the continuing case include Hydro Produce, Veli Velisha Fresh Produce and Velisha National Farms, and M Fragapane & Sons. Perfection Fresh’s admission does not resolve those ongoing proceedings against the other parties to the broader civil action.[1]
Company accepts responsibility and says it strengthened compliance
A Perfection Fresh spokesperson said the company accepted full responsibility and regretted the impact on its relationships. The business said it was working to rebuild stakeholders’ trust. It also said it had cooperated fully with the commission since learning of the issue and had strengthened its leadership, corporate governance and legal compliance systems.[1]
Commissioner Luke Woodward said cartel conduct undermines competition and can increase prices, harming consumers and raising business costs. He identified competition in fresh-food supply as an enforcement priority. Perfection Fresh is based in New South Wales and supplies all Australian states and territories, with produce including Brussels sprouts, broccolini and celery alongside the vegetables covered by its admission.[1]
