Australian Café Packaging Price Index — October 2026
The "Australian Café Packaging Price Index" for October 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the median prices for various packaging products used in the café sector. This index serves as a vital tool for hospitality operators, enabling them to gauge current market trends and make informed purchasing decisions. Understanding these prices is essential for managing costs, maintaining profitability, and ensuring competitive pricing strategies.
Per-unit café packaging prices are significant for operators as they directly impact overall operational expenses. With the increasing focus on sustainability and consumer preferences, the choice of packaging can also influence customer satisfaction and brand perception. By monitoring these prices, café owners can optimise their supply chain and enhance their service offerings while remaining competitive in a dynamic market.
What the numbers show
The median prices for café packaging in October 2026 reveal a diverse range of costs across different product categories. Coffee cups and lids are priced at a median of $0.13 per unit, while takeaway boxes and containers are higher at $0.30 per unit. This disparity highlights the varying complexities and material costs associated with different packaging types. Notably, pizza boxes command the highest median price at $0.53 per unit, reflecting the specific requirements for durability and insulation in food delivery.
Additionally, the index indicates that essential items such as napkins and straws are among the lowest-priced packaging options, with medians of $0.02 and $0.03 per unit, respectively. This suggests that while these items are crucial for customer experience, they are relatively inexpensive compared to other packaging solutions like plates and trays, which have a median price of $0.65 per unit. Overall, the data underscores the importance of strategic sourcing and cost management in the café sector, as operators navigate the complexities of packaging pricing.
Price by category
- Coffee Cups & Lids — Packery median $0.13/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 — up $0.01/unit (was $0.12, now $0.13)
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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