The WA fresh produce industry came together in spectacular style on Friday, 6 November for the 2026 Market West Ball & WA Fresh Produce Awards, celebrating the people, businesses and partnerships that keep fresh produce moving across Western Australia.
Held at Crown Perth, this year’s Ball transported guests back to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, with a sophisticated black-and-gold setting, showgirls, live entertainment and plenty of sparkle.
But behind the glitz and glamour was the real reason for the evening: recognising excellence across Western Australia’s fresh produce industry.
Celebrating the best of WA fresh produce
The WA Fresh Produce Awards recognise the businesses and individuals setting the benchmark across retailing, wholesaling, customer service and the wider fresh produce supply chain.
This year’s Retailer of the Year program saw 143 stores entered and independently assessed by anonymous mystery shoppers, with just 35 progressing to the final round across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
The evening also marked the introduction of a brand-new Salesperson of the Year Award, placing a well-deserved spotlight on the people behind the calls, orders, relationships and early starts that keep the industry moving. The inaugural award was determined through voting by fresh produce buyers.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners
- Fresh Markets Australia Meritorious Service Award: Jenny Mercer, WA Farm Direct
- Golden Kiwi Award, Best Zespri Display: Growers Lane
- A Better Choice! People’s Choice Award: Spudshed Baldivis
- Salesperson of the Year: Matthew McRae, Australian Produce Brokers
- Wholesaler of the Year: Mercer Mooney
- National Retailer of the Year, Regional: Coles Geraldton
- National Retailer of the Year, Metropolitan: Coles Local Floreat
- Independent Retailer of the Year, Regional: Rigters Supa IGA
- Independent Retailer of the Year, Metropolitan: Marmion Street Fresh and Gourmet
A huge congratulations to every winner and finalist. Being recognised among such a strong field is an outstanding achievement and reflects the passion, service, quality and hard work evident throughout WA’s fresh produce industry.
An industry that gives back
The evening was also an opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution the fresh produce industry makes beyond the market floor.
Guests heard about the industry’s support of Foodbank WA, with wholesalers at Perth Markets contributing more than 350,000 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables through more than 700 donations during the previous financial year. Those donations equated to approximately 630,600 meals for Western Australians doing it tough.
The evening also highlighted Market West’s ongoing relationship with the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and the annual Cherry Auction, with Platinum Sponsor Spudshed and the Galati Group recognised for their longstanding support of the initiative.
A huge thank you to our sponsors
An event of this scale simply would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, partners and wider industry.
A very special thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Spudshed, and our Gold Sponsor, Perth Markets Group Limited.
We also sincerely thank our Silver Sponsors, United Crates, Toyota Material Handling and Market West Credit Service.
Our thanks also go to our Award Sponsors, Australian Produce Brokers, the City of Canning, vegetablesWA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; our Named Sponsors, Etherington, Quality Produce International, Perfection Fresh, 4Ways Fresh, Priority Networking, Mercer Mooney, WA Farm Direct, Premier Fresh Australia and Origin; and our Photobooth Sponsor, Foodbank WA.
Your support allows Market West to bring the industry together, recognise excellence and continue celebrating the businesses and individuals who make WA’s fresh produce sector what it is.
Thank you for making the night so special
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us.
To our retailers, wholesalers, growers, sponsors, industry partners, government representatives, presenters, finalists and guests, thank you for getting behind the event and helping make the 2026 Market West Ball such a memorable celebration.
The Ball is about far more than the awards presented on stage. It is an opportunity for an industry built on relationships to come together, reconnect, recognise achievement and celebrate the people who work incredibly hard every day to keep Western Australia supplied with fresh produce.
Congratulations once again to all our 2026 winners and finalists, and thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Market West Ball & WA Fresh Produce Awards a night to remember.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you again.
