Overview

• The ACCC has filed a civil case in the Federal Court alleging cartel conduct in the supply of vegetables to Aldi, with the claims yet to be tested.
• Perfection Fresh Australia, Hydro Produce (Aust), Veli Velisha Fresh Produce and Velisha National Farms, and M. Fragapane & Sons are the companies named in the proceedings.
• Three executives are included: Catherine Velisha, sales manager Kaushik Vora, and M. Fragapane general sales manager Roberto Nave.
• The regulator alleges price fixing from 2018 to 2024 involving broccoli, cauliflower, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, Brussels sprouts and zucchini across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
• The ACCC cites 28 alleged arrangements or attempts to fix prices and 48 price submissions to Aldi in line with those arrangements, and it seeks declarations, financial penalties, compliance orders, director disqualifications and limits on indemnification.