Leading Australian fresh produce company breaches competition laws while supplying fresh vegetables to Aldi
Perfection Fresh has admitted to fixing the price of vegetables sold to Aldi in civil proceedings brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
In September 2025, the ACCC commenced Federal Court proceedings against Perfection Fresh, three other suppliers, and three individuals for alleged price-fixing while supplying fresh vegetables to Aldi, in breach of Australia’s competition laws.
The ACCC alleged, and Perfection Fresh admitted, that on eleven occasions between 2019 and 2020, Perfection Fresh engaged in cartel conduct by fixing the prices of broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce supplied to Aldo in New South Wales.
Perfection Fresh has agreed to jointly submit to the Court, with the ACCC, that it should be ordered to pay a penalty of A$12mn for nine contraventions and one attempted contravention, and to continue implementing a competition law compliance programme.
The Court will determine whether the proposed penalty and other orders are appropriate at a later date.
“Cartel conduct undermines competition and can increase prices, harming consumers and raising the cost of doing business,” ACCC commissioner Luke Woodward said.
“Enforcing cartel laws and protecting competition in the supply of fresh food are ongoing priorities for the ACCC.”
A Perfection Fresh spokesperson said the company took full responsibility for what occurred and acknowledged it should not have happened.
“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.”
The ACCC’s case against the other suppliers and individuals is ongoing.
