Australian Café Packaging Price Index — July 2026

The Australian Café Packaging Price Index is a quarterly report that tracks the median prices of various café packaging products. This index is designed to provide hospitality operators with a clear understanding of the current market prices for essential packaging items. By monitoring these prices, café owners and managers can make informed decisions about their procurement strategies and budget allocations.

Per-unit café packaging prices are a critical factor in the hospitality industry, as they can significantly impact a business's bottom line. With tight profit margins, café operators need to be mindful of every expense, including packaging costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest pricing trends, hospitality operators can negotiate better deals with suppliers, optimize their inventory management, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

What the numbers show

The median prices for café packaging products vary widely, ranging from $0.02 per unit for Napkins to $0.61 per unit for Plates & Trays. Other items, such as Straws and Food Paper, have median prices of $0.03 and $0.05 per unit, respectively. Meanwhile, products like Burger Boxes & Clamshells and Takeaway Boxes & Containers have higher median prices, at $0.29 per unit. These prices highlight the diversity of packaging needs in the hospitality industry and the importance of careful procurement planning.

A closer look at the data reveals that several packaging items have median prices below $0.10 per unit, including Cutlery & Serving at $0.04, Bags at $0.05, and Chip Cups & Trays at $0.11. In contrast, items like Bowls & Lids, Cleaning & Hygiene, and Sushi & Trays have median prices ranging from $0.17 to $0.20 per unit. Coffee Cups & Lids and Fresh Produce Packaging have median prices of $0.15 and $0.16 per unit, respectively. These prices provide a snapshot of the current market and can help hospitality operators make informed decisions about their packaging needs.

Price by category

• Coffee Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.15/unit · catalogue range $0.04–$0.29 across 67 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Takeaway Boxes & Containers — Packery median $0.28/unit · catalogue range $0.06–$3.01 across 63 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Cold Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.06/unit · catalogue range $0.03–$0.27 across 36 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Bags — Packery median $0.05/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$1.12 across 71 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Burger Boxes & Clamshells — Packery median $0.29/unit · catalogue range $0.09–$0.71 across 47 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Bowls & Lids — Packery median $0.20/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$0.73 across 81 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Napkins — Packery median $0.02/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$0.08 across 21 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Chip Cups & Trays — Packery median $0.11/unit · catalogue range $0.03–$0.43 across 28 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Portion Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.08/unit · catalogue range $0.08–$0.36 across 4 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Food Paper — Packery median $0.05/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$0.13 across 24 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Cutlery & Serving — Packery median $0.04/unit · catalogue range $0.00–$0.31 across 58 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Cleaning & Hygiene — Packery median $0.19/unit · catalogue range $0.17–$1.57 across 10 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Sushi & Trays — Packery median $0.17/unit · catalogue range $0.08–$0.43 across 32 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Fresh Produce Packaging — Packery median $0.16/unit · catalogue range $0.07–$0.29 across 8 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Plates & Trays — Packery median $0.61/unit · catalogue range $0.06–$1.65 across 68 products · *no live competitor data this period*
• Straws — Packery median $0.03/unit · catalogue range $0.02–$0.14 across 30 products · *no live competitor data this period*

Methodology

Figures are median per-unit prices (GST inclusive). Packery medians are computed across our full 648-product catalogue. No live competitor prices met the confidence threshold this period, so categories are shown as catalogue benchmarks. No prices, statistics or supplier names are estimated or invented.

Browse every line at current trade prices at packery.com.au/shop.

Ready to order in bulk?