FRESH fruit and veggie prices are again under the microscope, with the competition watchdog accusing some of Australia’s biggest farm suppliers of running a price-fixing scheme.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched civil proceedings in the Federal Court against four wholesalers –— including Perfection Fresh and Velisha Farms – alleging they colluded to inflate the supply prices of broccoli, cauliflower, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, brussels sprouts and zucchini between 2018 and 2024.
These vegetables are among the staples sold through Aldi stores across Queensland, including outlets at North Ipswich’s Riverlink Shopping Centre, Brassall, Booval and Yamanto.
Local greengrocers and food service businesses, which also rely on national wholesalers, may have felt the ripple effects too.
Velisha Farms CEO Catherine Velisha, a third-generation grower, has been personally named in the case.
She rejected the claims: “The allegations being made by the ACCC are very serious and we do not accept them. We have retained lawyers and intend on defending these proceedings.”
Also named are Ms Velisha’s senior sales manager Kaushik Vora, Perfection Fresh Australia, Hydro Produce Australia, and Fragapane Farms and its general manager Roberto Nave.
Perfection Fresh, which supplies across Queensland, said it was cooperating with the ACCC. The other two businesses have not responded publicly.
ACCC chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb said: “We allege that price fixing conduct involving some essential household vegetables took place across three states. Protecting competition in our fresh food supply chains is extremely important to drive price competition for the benefit of Australian consumers.”
For breaches after November 2022, companies could face fines of up to $50 million per offence, while individuals risk up to $2.5 million.
