Australia: Baby Food Market 2024

Baby Food Market Size in Australia

After four years of growth, the Australian baby food market decreased by -4.5% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +74.5% against 2013 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Baby Food Production in Australia

In value terms, baby food production rose markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. Baby food production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Baby Food Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, overseas shipments of food preparations for infants decreased by -24.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 156%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, baby food exports declined markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 235% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for baby food exports from Australia, accounting for a 67% share of total exports. Moreover, baby food exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), sixfold. Bangladesh (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to China amounted to +35.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+43.6% per year) and Bangladesh (+23.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for food preparations for infants exports from Australia, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China amounted to +41.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+45.8% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (+12.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average baby food export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, flattening at the previous year. In general, export price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, baby food export price increased by +62.3% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Baby Food Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, overseas purchases of food preparations for infants decreased by -47.9% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after six years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 76%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, baby food imports declined significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, New Zealand (X tons) constituted the largest baby food supplier to Australia, accounting for a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, baby food imports from New Zealand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Switzerland (X tons), fivefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from New Zealand amounted to +51.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Switzerland (+79.3% per year) and the Netherlands (+11.0% per year).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) constituted the largest supplier of food preparations for infants to Australia, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Switzerland ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from New Zealand totaled +56.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Switzerland (+66.1% per year) and the Netherlands (+20.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average baby food import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -17.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+14.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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