Australian Café Packaging Price Index — September 2026
The "Australian Café Packaging Price Index" for September 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the median prices for essential packaging items used in the café sector. This index serves as a critical tool for hospitality operators, enabling them to assess current market trends and make informed purchasing decisions. Understanding these per-unit prices is vital for managing costs, ensuring profitability, and maintaining competitive pricing strategies.
Café operators rely heavily on packaging to deliver their products efficiently and attractively. Fluctuations in packaging prices can significantly impact overall operational expenses. By monitoring the Australian Café Packaging Price Index, businesses can better navigate their supply chain and budget effectively, ultimately enhancing their service offerings and customer satisfaction.
What the numbers show
The median prices for various café packaging items in September 2026 reveal a diverse range of costs, reflecting the different functions and materials involved. For instance, pizza boxes are priced at a median of $0.53 per unit, making them one of the more expensive items in the index. In contrast, basic items like napkins and straws are significantly lower, with medians of $0.02 and $0.03 per unit, respectively. This disparity highlights the varying levels of investment required for different types of packaging, which can influence purchasing decisions based on the specific needs of the café.
Additionally, the index indicates that items such as plates and trays, at a median of $0.65 per unit, and burger boxes and clamshells, at $0.27 per unit, represent substantial costs for operators who offer dine-in or takeaway services. Conversely, more economical options like bags and food paper, both at $0.05 per unit, provide cost-effective solutions for operators looking to minimise expenses. Overall, the index underscores the importance of strategic sourcing and cost management in the café industry, as operators must balance quality and affordability in their packaging choices.
Price by category
- Coffee Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.12/unit · catalogue range $0.04–$0.29 across 73 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Takeaway Boxes & Containers — Packery median $0.30/unit · catalogue range $0.06–$3.22 across 65 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Cold Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.06/unit · catalogue range $0.04–$0.28 across 38 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Bags — Packery median $0.05/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$1.20 across 71 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Burger Boxes & Clamshells — Packery median $0.27/unit · catalogue range $0.09–$0.76 across 51 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Bowls & Lids — Packery median $0.21/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$0.78 across 82 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Napkins — Packery median $0.02/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$0.09 across 21 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Chip Cups & Trays — Packery median $0.13/unit · catalogue range $0.03–$0.46 across 32 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Portion Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.09/unit · catalogue range $0.09–$0.39 across 4 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Food Paper — Packery median $0.05/unit · catalogue range $0.01–$0.14 across 24 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Cutlery & Serving — Packery median $0.05/unit · catalogue range $0.00–$0.34 across 66 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Cleaning & Hygiene — Packery median $0.21/unit · catalogue range $0.18–$1.68 across 10 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Pizza Boxes — Packery median $0.53/unit · catalogue range $0.31–$0.86 across 18 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Sushi & Trays — Packery median $0.15/unit · catalogue range $0.05–$0.46 across 35 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Fresh Produce Packaging — Packery median $0.17/unit · catalogue range $0.07–$0.31 across 9 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Plates & Trays — Packery median $0.65/unit · catalogue range $0.07–$1.83 across 68 products · *no live competitor data this period*
- Straws — Packery median $0.03/unit · catalogue range $0.02–$0.15 across 30 products · *no live competitor data this period*
What changed since our last index
- Coffee Cups & Lids — down $0.04/unit (was $0.16, now $0.12)
- Burger Boxes & Clamshells — down $0.05/unit (was $0.32, now $0.27)
- Sushi & Trays — down $0.05/unit (was $0.19, now $0.15)
Methodology
Figures are median per-unit prices (wholesale trade pricing). Packery medians are computed across our full 697-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.
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