Perfection Fresh has admitted to cartel conduct in supplying vegetables to ALDI and will jointly ask the Federal Court with the ACCC to impose a $12 million penalty.
The NSW-based wholesaler, Australia’s second-largest fresh vegetable supplier, admitted to fixing the prices of broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce supplied to ALDI in NSW on 11 occasions in 2019 and 2020.
The proposed penalty covers nine contraventions and one attempted contravention. The ACCC said one admitted contravention falls outside the period in which a penalty can apply. Perfection Fresh will also continue to run a competition law compliance program. The Court will decide at a later date whether the penalty and orders are appropriate.
A Perfection Fresh spokesperson said the company took full responsibility for its actions.
“We deeply regret any impact it may have had on our relationships and are working hard to rebuild trust with our stakeholders,” the spokesperson said.
“We have fully co-operated with the ACCC since becoming aware of the issue and have taken significant steps to strengthen our leadership, governance and compliance systems.”
ACCC commissioner, Luke Woodward, said enforcing cartel laws in fresh food supply was an ongoing priority.
“Cartel conduct undermines competition and can increase prices, harming consumers and raising the cost of doing business,” Woodward said.
The ACCC launched proceedings in September 2025 against Perfection Fresh, Hydro Produce (Aust), Veli Velisha Fresh Produce and Velisha National Farms, M. Fragapane & Sons, and three individuals.
It alleged price fixing on 84 occasions between 2018 and 2024 in vegetables supplied to ALDI in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, including broccoli, cauliflower, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, Brussels sprouts and zucchini. The allegations relate mainly to ALDI’s “agile” pricing category.
The case against the other suppliers and individuals is ongoing. None of the allegations against them have been proven.
Perfection Fresh supplies produce including cauliflower, broccoli, iceberg lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccolini and celery to all states and territories.
There is no court ruling yet. The admission and proposed penalty were announced by the ACCC on 26 October, the same day as an administrative listing before Justice Stewart Anderson in the Federal Court. No penalty hearing date has been published.
