Wholesale takeaway packaging in Sydney in 2026 typically costs between A$0.02 and A$0.30 per unit, depending on the product type, material and order volume. Paper coffee cups run about A$0.03–A$0.08 each, plastic and sugarcane takeaway containers A$0.05–A$0.40 each, wooden cutlery from A$0.024 each, and paper bags from A$0.015 each — all prices including GST and sold by the carton. Most Sydney wholesalers set a minimum order (Glory Packaging’s is A$150) and deliver across the metro area within five business days. The guide below shows real 2026 wholesale price ranges by category, the minimum order quantities, and the factors that push prices up or down.
This is the question every café, restaurant and cloud-kitchen owner asks before switching suppliers: what should I actually be paying? Retail packaging shops mark prices up 40–80% over true wholesale, so without a benchmark it’s hard to know if you’re being overcharged. The figures here are drawn from Glory Packaging’s own 2026 Sydney wholesale price list plus a market scan of competing Sydney suppliers, normalised to a per-carton, GST-inclusive basis.
How Wholesale Packaging Is Priced in Sydney
Wholesale packaging is almost always sold by the carton, not the single unit. A carton might hold 100, 500 or 1,000 pieces depending on the product, so the headline carton price looks large but the per-unit cost is what matters for your food costing. Throughout this guide we show both: the carton price (what you pay at checkout) and the per-unit cost (what it adds to each order you sell).
Three quick facts to anchor your expectations: a carton of 1,000 paper coffee cups sits around A$30–A$79 depending on size; a carton of 500 plastic takeaway containers runs roughly A$25–A$46; and a carton of 1,000 wooden forks is about A$24. If your current supplier is charging materially more than these ranges, you’re paying retail, not wholesale.
1. Takeaway Containers — Plastic, Sugarcane and Kraft
Containers are the single biggest packaging line for most Sydney food businesses, so small per-unit differences add up fast across a week of trade.
PP Plastic Containers (round and rectangular)
Recyclable polypropylene (PP) remains the cheapest, most leak-resistant option for saucy mains, rice and noodle dishes. Round containers from 8oz to 30oz and rectangular containers from 500ml to 1,000ml are the workhorses here.
| Product | Carton (pcs) | Wholesale price (inc GST) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8oz round container | 500 | A$25.30 | A$0.051 |
| 16oz round container | 500 | A$28.60 | A$0.057 |
| 20oz round container | 500 | A$33.00 | A$0.066 |
| 30oz round container | 500 | A$44.55 | A$0.089 |
| 500ml rectangular base | 500 | A$34.10 | A$0.068 |
| 1,000ml rectangular base | 500 | A$46.20 | A$0.092 |
| Lids (round / rectangular) | 500 | A$19.80 – A$25.30 | A$0.040 – A$0.051 |
Price range: roughly A$0.05–A$0.09 per base, plus A$0.04–A$0.05 per lid. Minimum order quantity: typically one carton (500 pcs) per size.
Sugarcane (Bagasse) Containers
Plant-based sugarcane pulp is the popular compostable choice for cafés and venues marketing sustainability. It costs more than PP but reads as premium.
| Product | Carton (pcs) | Wholesale price (inc GST) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6″ hamburger box | 500 | A$52.80 | A$0.106 |
| 8″ clamshell | 200 | A$39.60 | A$0.198 |
| 9″ 3-compartment clamshell | 200 | A$40.70 | A$0.204 |
| 9″ round plate | 500 | A$38.50 | A$0.077 |
| 16oz bowl | 500 | A$79.75 | A$0.160 |
| 40oz bowl (1,200ml) | 500 | A$73.70 | A$0.147 |
Price range: roughly A$0.08–A$0.30 per unit. Bagasse typically runs 30–60% more than equivalent PP — the “green premium” you’re paying for compostability. MOQ: 200–1,000 pcs depending on size.
Kraft and Board Containers
Corrugated kraft boxes (for burgers, snacks, family meals) and kraft salad bowls suit fried food and brand-forward presentation.
| Product | Carton (pcs) | Wholesale price (inc GST) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft burger box | 250 | A$34.10 | A$0.136 |
| Kraft family box | 100 | A$34.10 | A$0.341 |
| Kraft salad bowl 750ml | 300 | A$48.40 | A$0.161 |
| Kraft rectangular 1,000ml | 300 | A$74.80 | A$0.249 |
Price range: roughly A$0.13–A$0.35 per unit. Kraft board is heavier and more expensive per piece, so reserve it for items where presentation justifies the cost.
2. Cups — Coffee, Cold and Clear
Cups are where café margins live or die, because volume is enormous and small per-unit savings compound daily.
| Product | Carton (pcs) | Wholesale price (inc GST) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8oz paper coffee cup | 1,000 | A$47.30 | A$0.047 |
| 12oz paper coffee cup | 1,000 | A$66.00 | A$0.066 |
| 16oz paper coffee cup | 1,000 | A$79.20 | A$0.079 |
| Coffee cup lids | 1,000 | A$23.43 – A$37.07 | A$0.023 – A$0.037 |
| 16oz PET clear cold cup | 1,000 | A$93.50 | A$0.094 |
| 500ml PP clear cup | 1,000 | A$55.00 | A$0.055 |
| Paper straws | 3,000 | A$39.05 | A$0.013 |
Price range: paper hot cups A$0.03–A$0.08 each; clear PET/PP cold cups A$0.05–A$0.11 each; lids add A$0.02–A$0.04. A busy café selling 300 coffees a day spends roughly A$14–A$24 a day on cups and lids alone — which is why a 10% wholesale saving is worth chasing. MOQ: usually 1,000 pcs per size.
3. Cutlery — Wooden, Bamboo and Bio
Single-use plastic cutlery is now banned across NSW, so wooden and bamboo cutlery is the compliant default. The good news: it’s cheap.
| Product | Carton (pcs) | Wholesale price (inc GST) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden fork / spoon / knife | 1,000 | A$24.20 | A$0.024 |
| Wooden spork | 1,000 | A$24.20 | A$0.024 |
| Bamboo chopsticks | 3,000 pairs | A$63.80 | A$0.021 |
| Sugarcane Chinese spoon | 1,000 | A$42.90 | A$0.043 |
Price range: A$0.02–A$0.04 per piece. Cutlery is one of the most over-marked-up categories at retail — some Sydney suppliers charge nearly double wholesale for the same wooden forks — so it’s worth confirming your per-1,000 price.
4. Bags — Paper, Plastic and Delivery
Bags span the widest price range of any category, from a few cents for a paper lunch bag to A$0.34 for a large insulated delivery bag.
| Product | Carton (pcs) | Wholesale price (inc GST) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1SO white paper bag (small) | 500 | A$7.70 | A$0.015 |
| 8F paper bag (large) | 500 | A$22.44 | A$0.045 |
| 10F brown paper bag | 500 | A$26.40 | A$0.053 |
| Uber delivery bag (small) | 250 | A$44.00 | A$0.176 |
| Uber delivery bag (large) | 150 | A$50.60 | A$0.337 |
| Reusable carry bag (36µm+) | per 9kg | A$34.10 | varies |
Price range: flat paper bags A$0.015–A$0.06 each; printed delivery/Uber bags A$0.18–A$0.34 each. MOQ: 250–500 pcs for paper, 150–250 for delivery bags.
5. Eco-Friendly Options — What the “Green Premium” Actually Costs
Sustainability is the fastest-moving category in Sydney hospitality, and the question owners ask most is: how much more does going green cost? Based on the figures above, the eco-friendly premium in 2026 looks like this:
- Sugarcane vs PP containers: roughly 30–60% more per unit (e.g. a sugarcane bowl at A$0.16 vs a PP bowl at ~A$0.07–0.10).
- Wooden/bamboo cutlery vs banned plastic: effectively neutral — A$0.024 per piece is in line with what plastic cutlery cost before the ban.
- Paper straws vs plastic: A$0.013 each, a negligible premium now that paper straws are mass-produced.
- Kraft and bagasse plates: A$0.08–A$0.16 per unit, comparable to mid-range plastic.
The takeaway: cutlery, straws and basic plates can be switched to compostable with little or no cost increase, while containers and bowls carry a real premium you should price into your menu.
What Moves Wholesale Packaging Prices in 2026
Five factors explain almost every price difference you’ll see between suppliers and over time:
- Order volume. Higher carton counts and full-pallet orders unlock better per-unit rates. Consolidating to one supplier beats splitting small orders across three.
- Material and resin/oil prices. PP and PET track global oil prices; paper and board track pulp prices. Both have been volatile in 2025–26, so quotes older than a quarter may be stale.
- Custom printing. Logo-printed cups, bags and boxes carry setup fees and a per-unit uplift, and usually require a higher minimum (often 1,000+ units). The branding payoff can be worth it for cafés.
- GST and delivery. All prices here include 10% GST. Some suppliers quote ex-GST to look cheaper — always compare like for like. Delivery zone and frequency also affect landed cost.
- Import vs local stock. Suppliers who import directly (rather than buying through a local distributor) can price 5–15% lower on staple lines because they cut out a middle margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does wholesale takeaway packaging cost in Sydney?
Most items fall between A$0.02 and A$0.30 per unit including GST. Coffee cups are about A$0.03–A$0.08 each, takeaway containers A$0.05–A$0.40 each, wooden cutlery from A$0.024 each, and paper bags from A$0.015 each. Prices are sold by the carton.
What is the minimum order for wholesale packaging in Sydney?
It varies by supplier. Glory Packaging has a A$150 minimum order with delivery across Sydney within five business days. Most suppliers sell in full cartons (100–1,000 pcs per size).
Is eco-friendly packaging more expensive?
Sometimes. Sugarcane containers and bowls run roughly 30–60% more than plastic equivalents, but wooden cutlery, paper straws and kraft plates are now priced in line with the plastic items they replace — so switching those carries little to no premium.
Why is plastic cutlery no longer available?
Single-use plastic cutlery, straws and plates are banned in NSW. Compliant alternatives are wooden, bamboo or sugarcane, all of which are widely stocked by Sydney wholesalers at A$0.02–A$0.04 per piece.
How do I know if I’m paying wholesale and not retail?
Compare your per-unit cost against the ranges in this guide. If you’re paying noticeably more — for example over A$0.10 for a basic wooden fork or over A$90 for 1,000 8oz coffee cups — you’re likely paying a retail markup.
Get a 2026 Wholesale Quote from Glory Packaging
Glory Packaging is a Sydney-based wholesale supplier of takeaway containers, cups, cutlery, bags and eco-friendly packaging, delivering across the metro area five days a week with a A$150 minimum order. If you’d like a current price list or a quote tailored to your menu, contact Glory Packaging for a same-week response — and bring your existing invoice so we can show you, line by line, where you can save.
Prices in this guide are drawn from Glory Packaging’s June 2026 Sydney wholesale price list (GST-inclusive, per carton) and a market scan of competing Sydney suppliers. Prices change with order volume and market conditions; request a current quote for exact figures.
Related packaging guides
- The Complete Cafe Packaging Checklist (Sydney) — everything a new cafe needs to buy.
- Top 5 Wholesale Takeaway Packaging Suppliers in Sydney — price and delivery comparison.
See current pricing on our wholesale packaging range, or ask us for a quote. Glory Packaging supplies restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops across Sydney with delivery five days a week.